Boxing

Canelo Alvarez sidelined: Comeback fight in doubt after surgery

The former super middleweight champion is set for elbow surgery, leaving his comeback timeline and next opponent up in the air.

STEVE MARCUS

Fernando Salazar Roddy Cons

Ciudad de México Update: Oct 1st, 2025 05:41 EDT

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has pushed back his return to the ring to undergo surgery on his left elbow. After losing his super middleweight titles to Terence Crawford, the Mexican champion is taking advantage of his time away from boxing to address the injury while deciding who his next opponent will be.

Rumors had swirled about how long the layoff might last, with some speculating that Canelo could miss a traditional May fight date in 2026. Now, more details have emerged about his recovery timeline.

Canelo’s recovery timeline

According to The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, Canelo is scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on October 23. The procedure will require him to wear a sling, but he is expected to resume light training about four to six weeks later.

Canelo Alvarez will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow on October 23rd, according to The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.

He will be in a sling and should resume light training 4-6 weeks after the procedure. pic.twitter.com/MhEz0KZdZy
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) September 30, 2025

That recovery window keeps the door open for a potential mid-2026 fight, though much will depend on how his body responds after surgery.

What’s next for Canelo? Possible opponents

Canelo still has two fights left on his lucrative deal with Riyadh Season, scheduled to run through 2026. He and his team will need to sort through potential offers in the coming months to determine his next opponent.

Canelo Álvarez vs. Christian Mbilli

One fighter already calling him out is Christian Mbilli. After defeating Lester Martínez, the Cameroonian contender said he believes he can beat Alvarez. However, World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaimán has ordered a rematch between Mbilli and Martínez, which could delay any potential showdown.

Canelo Álvarez vs. Terence Crawford

A rematch with Terence Crawford might be the most appealing option for Canelo’s fans, but obstacles remain. Crawford has shown little interest in facing him again, and no rematch clause was included in their contract. Unless new negotiations emerge, the door to that fight appears mostly closed.

Canelo Álvarez vs Dmitry Bivol

Another possibility is Dmitry Bivol, who handed Canelo a decisive loss in 2022. While the Kyrgyz-born Russian champion has not expressed much desire for a second fight, he has also not ruled it out completely.

For now, everything depends on how quickly Canelo recovers from surgery, and how willing the sport’s top names are to step into the ring with him once he’s ready to return.