Saul “Canelo” Alvarez Faces Extended Hiatus
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, a prominent figure in the boxing world, is set to face a substantial hiatus from fighting due to an impending elbow surgery. This decision follows his recent defeat to Terence Crawford, in which he lost his undisputed super middleweight championship during a much-anticipated event held on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
“This enforced break will push Alvarez’s anticipated return to the ring back to sometime between mid and late 2026.”
Impact on Future Fights
At 35 years old, Alvarez’s plans for the upcoming year have taken a significant turn. He had previously entered into a lucrative four-fight deal this past February with Saudi Arabian financier Turki Alalshikh, which included a pair of rematches set to take place in 2026 as part of the “Riyadh Season”. The first of these two bouts was originally slated for February, followed by another in October, both venues being in Riyadh.
Among his potential opponents for the February fight was Hamzah Sheeraz, who recently secured a knockout victory over Edgar Berlanga in July. Other noteworthy names, including Chris Eubank Jr., Christian Mbilli, and Dmitry Bivol, were also in contention for upcoming matchups.
Uncertain Comeback
Due to the recent developments, Alvarez’s comeback is now uncertain, suggesting that if his return is delayed into the latter half of the year, he might only step into the ring once in 2026. As it stands, Alvarez is ranked as the leading contender in both the WBC and WBO, while updates on his IBF and WBA standings are still pending.
