Canelo Alvarez is set to return to the ring on September 12, 2026, headlining a major event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show is billed as “Mexico Against the World” and will also serve as the launch event for Canelo Promotions, with fighters from Alvarez’s team appearing across the undercard against international opposition.
The announcement, made this week with Alvarez present, confirms his first fight since losing the undisputed super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford last September in Las Vegas. Alvarez has not fought since that defeat, which ended his second run as undisputed champion at 168 pounds and marked a rare pause after more than a decade at the top.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh described the main event as a “surprise” and used language that pointed toward a championship setting.
“The champion will be in the main event for a world title,” Alalshikh said on X. “It will be a surprise.”
Alalshikh did not specify whether Alvarez will compete for a recognized world title, though his wording suggested a championship setting for the main event. No sanctioning body has confirmed which belt, if any, would be involved.
With that wording in mind, the return fits more naturally at super middleweight than at light heavyweight. A move to 175 pounds would require Alvarez to face either Dmitry Bivol, who defeated him decisively in 2022, or David Benavidez, a matchup Alvarez has never pursued despite years of public pressure. There has been no indication that his September return is intended to revisit either scenario.
At super middleweight, the title situation remains unclear. Three of the four major titles in the division are currently vacant, while Alvarez remains highly ranked across multiple sanctioning bodies despite the Crawford loss. That combination leaves several directions open without confirming which one, if any, will be activated.
What separates this return from previous cycles is the lack of a declared competitive objective. In past years, Alvarez’s September fights were tied closely to mandatory defenses. This time, only the date and location are fixed.
Alvarez is returning on September 12 in Riyadh.
No opponent has been announced.
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Last Updated on 01/17/2026
