Canelo Álvarez is extending his break from boxing, manager confirms

Saúl 'Canelo’ Álvarez continues his recovery from left elbow surgery and looks set to wait until the second half of 2026 before returning to the ring in earnest.

Amid speculation over whether he will fight in May, Canelo’s manager Eddy Reynoso has confirmed that the Mexican star will skip his traditional spring bout and target a return in September.

“No, we’re going to rest in May and we’ll resume in September,” Reynoso told Azteca Deportes during the press conference ahead of Marco Verde’s fight.

Canelo’s priority for 2026 is an immediate rematch with Terence Crawford as he looks to regain the WBA, WBO and IBF super-middleweight titles. Reynoso said they will push for that fight in September: “That’s what he wants — the rematch with Crawford. We’ll see if it can be in September. That’s the goal, to make the fight and settle the score.”

How much will a Canelo-Crawford rematch cost?

Now the unified 168-pound champion, Crawford is in no rush to grant Álvarez a rematch. His trainer, Bernie Davis, said the champion would only consider a second fight if Canelo brings $100 million to the table.

“There’s nothing left for Crawford to prove. If you don’t give him $100 million — if you don’t listen to him — it won’t happen. Those are Crawford’s words. He’s by far the best boxer in the world,” Davis said.

Skipping a May fight breaks with one of Canelo’s long-standing traditions, as he has headlined Cinco de Mayo weekend for most of his career. In 2026 that date will also coincide with the buildup to the World Cup, making his absence even more notable.

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