Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to return in September world title fight in Saudi Arabia
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will look to become a two-time super middleweight champion in September.
Saudi Arabian fight financier Turki Alalshikh confirmed Thursday the former undisputed champion would return to the ring Sep. 12 in Saudi Arabia against an opponent to be determined.
Although Alalshikh didn't name Alvarez's foe, he said Canelo would headline a Mexico vs. the World card in a world title fight.
“Wait for us in September," Alalshikh said. "The 12th of September, a big, big, big fight. And this will be the first card for Canelo Promotions. It will be named ‘Mexico Against the World.’ All the fighters from the team of Canelo against the world. And the champion [Alvarez] in the main event [for] a world title, and it will be a surprise in Saudi Arabia.”
Alvarez lost his undisputed super middleweight championship to Terence Crawford last September in their Netflix blockbuster at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium.
Alvarez underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in October, which required 12-15 weeks of rest before a full return to training. Canelo was scheduled to fight in February as part of his four-fight deal with Riyadh Season — which has two fights remaining — but the surgery was expected to delay his return until May. The Mexican, however, has chosen to extend his rest period until September.
While a rematch with Crawford was Alvarez's top priority, the American great announced his retirement from boxing this past month. By doing so, Crawford also vacated all four of his super middleweight belts — and it will be one of the new champions who will be standing across the ring from Alvarez in September.
Osleys Iglesias will fight for the vacant IBF title against an opponent to be determined, most likely Pavel Silyagin. Jose Armando Resendiz is the WBA champion and is expected to put his belt on the line against Jaime Munguia in the coming months.
The situation with the WBC and WBO, however, is slightly more complicated. Hamzah Sheeraz has been ordered to fight Christian Mbilli for the vacant WBC title, and Diego Pacheco for the relinquished WBO belt, with Sheeraz's team offering contrasting signals as to which belt it will fight for.
If Sheeraz goes the WBC route, it is likely that Pacheco will face the winner of William Scull vs. Jacob Bank on Jan. 31 for the vacant WBO title. If Sheeraz chooses to fight Pachecco, Mbilli and Lester Martinez will square off in a rematch of their 2025 Fight of the Year contender for the vacant WBC strap.
