The problem Canelo Alvarez faces in his upcoming fight with William Scull

Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez is no stranger to pressure, but his next fight adds a challenge that has nothing to do with punches. The undisputed champ is set to face Cuban fighter William Scull in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – at 6 a.m. local time on a Sunday.

The early-morning bout is a scheduling choice designed to suit fans back in Mexico and the U.S., who’ll get to watch the fight at their usual Saturday night slot. But according to former world champion Juan Manuel Márquez, that convenience could come at a cost. “The most difficult opponent will be the schedule,” he told ProBox TV. “The fighter is going to feel it.”

Why Álvarez-Scull fight time could be a serious issue

Fighting at dawn is no minor adjustment. Canelo, like most top-level athletes, is conditioned for peak performance at specific times. Throwing punches before breakfast isn’t part of the usual routine. “He’s always used to fighting at a certain hour, on a certain day,” Márquez added. “Fighting in the early morning, the fighter’s going to feel it. That kind of thing doesn’t change overnight.”

To get ahead of the curve, Canelo plans to arrive in Saudi Arabia three weeks early, gradually shifting his internal clock by training at 4 or 5 a.m. It’s a smart move, but as Márquez points out, adjusting to time zones, climate, and rhythm takes time – and the human body doesn’t flip a switch.

What belt is on the line for Álvarez?

This isn’t just any fight. Canelo is trying to reclaim the IBF super middleweight title Scull currently holds. A win would make him undisputed champion at 168 pounds for a second time. But that goal depends on more than training and tactics – it hinges on how well his body can wake up and go to war at an hour most of us are barely making coffee.

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