From humiliation to royal honor: Canelo Álvarez’s incredible odyssey in Saudi Arabia

What seemed like a triumphant arrival for Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez ended up becoming an unexpected diplomatic battlefield. Landing in Riyadh on April 14, 2025, for his unification bout against William Scull, the Mexican champion experienced firsthand an outrageous reception that shook the sports world.

Upon disembarking his private jet, Canelo was greeted coldly by a section of the local organization. The situation worsened at the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, where his reservation was mysteriously altered and his access to the private gym was denied. The final straw came when, in the lobby, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Sud publicly snubbed his greeting and arrogantly announced that his fight had been downgraded to a minor event in favor of a Tyson Fury exhibition.

Tensions escalated quickly. With a calm that only a ring veteran could maintain, Canelo refused to be provoked. While his team evaluated the possibility of a legal claim, the Mexican champion opted for a calm approach: adapting and continuing to train even in the hotel gardens, improvising his physical preparation in the face of adversity.

What no one imagined was that the public disdain for Canelo would resonate beyond the boxing arenas. Video of the incident went viral within hours, igniting social media and unleashing a wave of international support. Mexico, united as never before, made the hashtag  #OrgulloCanelo  trend worldwide. Sports figures, politicians, and millions of fans demanded respect for their champion.

The pressure was so intense that it prompted direct intervention from the Saudi royal family. In almost cinematic fashion, Canelo was invited to a private dinner with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a gesture laden with symbolism, the prince not only apologized personally but also presented Canelo with a  traditional bist as a sign of honor—a privilege reserved for the kingdom’s highest guests.

With his dignity intact, Canelo recorded a moving video in which, without confrontation, he expressed his gratitude for the affection he had received and reaffirmed his commitment to mutual respect between cultures. His mature and firm response cemented him not only as a sports idol, but also as a true ambassador for Mexico around the world.

Sheikh Khalid, forced by circumstances, was forced to issue a public apology, though without explicitly naming Canelo. The boxer’s image, however, had been strengthened like never before. Prince Mohammed, determined to close ranks, assigned Canelo the  Royal Sports Pavilion  for his training and ensured his personal presence in the Mexican’s corner during the fight, elevating the bout against William Scull to a new level of historic expectation.

Canelo, true to his values, rejected any undue advantage. He accepted international supervision and neutral referees to avoid any hint of favoritism, reaffirming his desire to win fairly in the ring.

Today, as Riyadh dresses up for one of the most anticipated fights of the year, Saúl Álvarez presents himself not only as the greatest boxer of his generation, but as a living symbol of resilience, respect, and moral greatness. Because if this experience has proven anything, it’s that a true champion isn’t always measured by the belts on his waist, but by the way he stands up when they try to humiliate him.

And this May 3rd, when the bell rings in the heart of Saudi Arabia, the world will know that Canelo Álvarez won’t just be fighting for titles…  he’ll be fighting for honor.