Boxing fans, brace yourselves! Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, the Mexican superstar, is facing an unexpected delay to his ring return. Following his loss to Terence Crawford in their blockbuster fight on September 13th in Las Vegas, Alvarez will undergo elbow surgery, pushing his comeback to mid-to-late 2026.
The news, initially reported by Turki Alalshikh's Ring Magazine, throws a wrench into Alvarez's plans for the upcoming year. Alvarez, currently ranked No. 10 pound-for-pound by Uncrowned, had signed a lucrative four-fight deal with Saudi Arabian fight financier Alalshikh back in February.
Saudi Arabia Deal on Hold
The agreement stipulated that the four-division champion would fight twice under the "Riyadh Season" banner in 2026. The initial plan was for fights in February and October, both to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hamzah Sheeraz, riding high after his knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga in July, was the frontrunner to face Alvarez in February. Other potential opponents for Alvarez in 2026 included Chris Eubank Jr., Christian Mbilli, and Dmitry Bivol.
What's Next for Canelo?
Now, with the surgery and recovery period, Alvarez, who will be 35 years old, is expected to return sometime in the second or third quarter of 2026. If his return is delayed until the third quarter, he may only fight once next year.
The identity of Alvarez's opponent for his first fight of 2026 remains uncertain. Despite his recent loss to Crawford, Alvarez is currently ranked as the No. 1 contender in the WBC and WBO. The IBF and WBA rankings are still pending.
This unexpected development leaves fans wondering what the future holds for Canelo Alvarez. Will he be able to regain his championship form after the surgery? Only time will tell.