Canelo Alvarez has made his intentions clear regarding both his return to the ring and his preferred opponent. The Mexican star is targeting a comeback in September, with a rematch against Terence Crawford identified as his primary goal following their high-profile clash earlier this year.
Alvarez was last seen in action in September at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he defended his undisputed super-middleweight title against Crawford. Despite entering the fight as a strong favourite, Canelo suffered a unanimous decision defeat losing all his belts.
In the aftermath of that loss, questions emerged about Canelo’s future, particularly given his age of 35 and a professional career spanning more than two decades. However, those doubts were addressed after journalist Salvador Rodriguez reported comments from trainer Eddy Reynoso, who confirmed that retirement is not on the agenda.
Reynoso revealed that Canelo will not fight on his usual Cinco de Mayo date in May and is instead aiming for a September return, with Crawford viewed as the clear “Plan A” opponent. While no negotiations have yet begun, this would mark the first time since 2020 that Canelo does not compete in May.
Alvarez also underwent elbow surgery following the defeat to Crawford, which appears to be a contributing factor behind the proposed September 2026 return. If the plan holds, it would represent his longest stretch of inactivity since 2020, while Crawford is expected to remain active in the meantime, potentially exploring new weight-class opportunities before any rematch takes place.
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