Canelo Alvarez 2026 return delayed by elbow surgery after loss to Terence Crawford, per reports

The surgery, confirmed by sources close to the fighter, is expected to sideline Alvarez, 35, until at least April 2026. The Mexican superstar, who relinquished his undisputed super middleweight title to Crawford in a unanimous decision loss on September 13th, had been experiencing persistent elbow pain for several weeks leading up to the procedure. Recovery is projected to take a minimum of two months, with a resumption of full training not expected for another 12 to 15 weeks thereafter. This timeline casts doubt on any potential bout in the first quarter of 2026, pushing a likely return towards the second quarter of the year.

The defeat to Crawford marked a significant moment in Alvarez’s career, representing his first loss since a unanimous decision against Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, when Alvarez challenged for Bivol’s WBA light heavyweight title. The Crawford fight, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, was the inaugural boxing event promoted by Zuffa Boxing, the boxing arm of UFC, under the leadership of CEO Dana White. This marked White’s first foray into boxing promotion.

Alvarez’s loss to Crawford saw him cede the undisputed super middleweight championship, a title he had unified by defeating Caleb Plant in November 2021 to win the IBF title and become the first undisputed super middleweight champion in boxing history. Prior to Plant, Alvarez defeated Callum Smith in December 2020 for the WBA (Super) and The Ring titles, and Avni Yildirim in February 2021 to retain those titles. He then added the WBO title by defeating Billy Joe Saunders in May 2021.

Terence Crawford’s victory over Alvarez cemented his legacy as one of boxing’s elite fighters. Crawford, already a former undisputed light welterweight champion and welterweight champion, became the first male boxer to become a three-division undisputed champion in the four-belt era, a testament to his versatility and dominance across multiple weight classes. The "four-belt era" refers to the period in boxing history where the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO are recognized as the major sanctioning bodies. Undisputed champion status requires holding all four belts simultaneously.

The Alvarez-Crawford fight itself was a one-sided affair, with Crawford’s speed, precision, and ring generalship proving too much for Alvarez to handle. Crawford consistently landed cleaner punches and controlled the pace of the fight, earning a clear victory on all three judges’ scorecards. The loss prompted immediate discussion about Alvarez’s future, with some observers questioning whether he should consider moving back up to light heavyweight or even cruiserweight.

Alvarez’s career has been marked by a willingness to take on challenging opponents across different weight classes. He has held world championships in four different weight classes: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. His resume includes victories over a number of notable fighters, including Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin (in their second fight), Daniel Jacobs, Sergey Kovalev, and Callum Smith.

However, Alvarez has also suffered defeats, including the loss to Bivol and a previous loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. The loss to Mayweather, which occurred early in Alvarez’s career, served as a valuable learning experience and motivated him to improve his skills and strategy.

The elbow surgery further complicates Alvarez’s immediate future. He currently has two fights remaining under contract with Saudi sports promoter Turk Alalshikh, a significant player in the evolving landscape of professional boxing. Alalshikh has been instrumental in bringing major boxing events to Saudi Arabia, offering lucrative purses to attract top fighters from around the world. The planned February fight, part of this agreement, will undoubtedly be postponed due to the surgery and subsequent recovery period. The specifics of Alvarez’s contract with Alalshikh, including potential opponents and financial terms, have not been publicly disclosed.

The landscape of boxing is currently experiencing a period of rapid change, with new promotional entities and streaming services entering the market. Zuffa Boxing’s recent announcement of an exclusive long-term media rights deal with Paramount+ reflects this trend. The deal, which will bring 12 boxing events to the streaming service in 2026, further diversifies the platforms available for boxing fans to watch live fights. This deal potentially opens doors for Alvarez in the future, though it is not clear that he will be part of Zuffa Boxing.

The delay caused by Alvarez’s surgery will likely have a ripple effect on the super middleweight division. Several contenders are vying for a shot at the title, including David Benavidez, Jermall Charlo, and Christian Mbilli. The absence of Alvarez from the title picture will create opportunities for these fighters to elevate their profiles and potentially compete for vacant titles or interim championships.

David Benavidez, in particular, has been a vocal critic of Alvarez, claiming that he has been avoided by the Mexican superstar. Benavidez holds an interim title, and is a rising force in the division. His aggressive style and punching power make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the super middleweight division.

Jermall Charlo, another prominent contender, has faced inactivity in recent years due to personal issues and health concerns. However, he remains a highly skilled and respected fighter with the potential to make a significant impact in the division.

Christian Mbilli, a rising star from Canada, has been steadily climbing the rankings with a series of impressive victories. He is known for his relentless pressure and devastating body shots.

As Alvarez recovers from surgery, he will need to carefully consider his next steps. The sport has evolved since his prime, and he will need to assess his physical condition and motivation before committing to a return. The delay provides him with an opportunity to analyze his previous performances, adjust his training regimen, and strategize for future fights.

His legacy as one of boxing’s all-time greats is already secure, but another successful chapter in his career would solidify his place in history. The boxing world will be watching closely to see what he does next. The road back to the top will be challenging, but Alvarez has proven throughout his career that he is capable of overcoming adversity. Whether he chooses to pursue a rematch with Crawford, target another world title, or explore other opportunities remains to be seen.