Saul “Canelo” Alvarez Announces Break from Cinco de Mayo Fights
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the renowned figure in Mexican boxing, has announced he will not participate in any fights during the traditional Cinco de Mayo weekend in 2026. Over the last ten years, Alvarez has celebrated this date by headlining fights, making it a significant event for fans. The only exceptions to this pattern were in 2018, due to a doping-related absence, and in 2020 when the pandemic affected sports worldwide.
Future Plans and Upcoming Fights
In a shift from his usual schedule, Alvarez plans to resume boxing later in the year, with his next fight now anticipated for September. His trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso, confirmed this decision, which will pave the way for another notable boxing event on May 2, when WBC light heavyweight champion David Benavidez goes up against unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, both of whom have rich Mexican boxing legacies.
Health and Recovery
This change comes in the wake of Alvarez’s recent arthroscopic elbow surgery he underwent in October, which necessitated a recovery period lasting approximately three months. Initially slated for a comeback fight in February under a four-fight agreement with Riyadh Season, he recognized the need for additional rest and the chance to pursue a much-anticipated rematch against Terence Crawford.
Rematch Prospects with Terence Crawford
Crawford, who triumphed over Alvarez by unanimous decision last September at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, made history by becoming the first three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
This match was not only a significant sporting event but also a commercial success, raking in $47 million and attracting over 41 million viewers on Netflix.
Despite the high profile of their initial bout, the prospects for a rematch seem less vibrant, largely due to the definitive nature of Crawford’s victory. Moreover, Crawford recently lost his WBC title after declining to pay the required sanctioning fees, meaning any potential rematch would not involve the undisputed championship on the line.
