Super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez has hinted at retirement after his lucrative four-fight deal with Riyadh Season ends. The Mexican sensation was close to agreeing a fight with YouTuber-turned-boxer boxer Jake Paul in Las Vegas in May before a late U-turn.
He instead take on William Scull for all four super-middleweight belts in Saudi Arabia. The upcoming bout is part of a four-fight deal agreed with Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh – who had no interest in Alvarez facing Paul.
Should ‘Saul’ emerge victorious against Scull, he will then take on Terence Crawford in a mega-fight in September before fighting twice next year. Alvarez, who turns 35 in July, has recently addressed his future. Given what he’s achieved in the sport of boxing, the Mexican has one eye on retiring, serving as a huge blow to Paul.
However, he isn’t done yet. “In the sport of boxing, I already accomplished everything,” Alvarez told TMZ. “I fought everybody. I fought the best. I won a lot of titles in different weight classes. I have been the pound-for-pound king, fighter of the year – everything.
“If we are talking about money, it’s never enough. But it’s not just about money. It’s about enjoying everything. I am still enjoying boxing. That’s why I am here.
“But if we are talking about money, it’s never enough. But I’m not thinking about making [a specific] amount of money, and then I retire – no. I’m going to do my thing, and then 37, 38, is the moment to go [and retire].”
Should ‘Saul’ get through unscathed against Scull and Crawford, he may have one eye on a potential rematch with Dmitry Bivol. The Russian light-heavyweight king famously defeated the Mexican in 2022 – with the latter since expressing his desire to exact his revenge. A blockbuster showdown with David Benavidez could also be on the cards next year. The pair have traded barbs on multiple occasions, but nothing has ever materialised.
As for Paul, the young American hasn’t fought since defeating Mike Tyson last November. Amid talks of retirement, Alvarez hasn’t completely closed the door on a potential clash with ‘The Problem Child’ – but in what capacity remains to be seen. “I never say no because you never know what happens next,” said Alvarez. “As official, as a fighter, official, no. I don’t think so.”
Reacting to snubbing Paul, the 34-year-old recently said: “I think I did the correct thing being with Turki Alalshikh,” Alvarez told CBS Sports. “That’s the way I feel. I think there is so much potential in the future and that’s why we chose to be working with him.
“Because [Scull] is better for me [as an opponent] at this point in my career. I just want to continue making history. I don’t even call [boxing Paul] a fight, it’s more of an event than a fight. That event can wait until I retire.”
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