Canelo Alvarez to break Cinco de Mayo tradition as blockbuster return date teased

Canelo Alvarez will skip Cinco de Mayo for the first time since 2021 after the Mexican was confirmed for a September return in Riyadh.

The pound-for-pound stalwart has not fought since he lost his undisputed super-middleweight crown to Terence Crawford in September.

Questions over when he would next fight have swirled in recent weeks, particularly after his former rival announced his sudden retirement.

Now, in a video posted to social media beside His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, Alvarez has confirmed his bout on September 12 in Riyadh.

The star will face an unspecified opponent in what will be the launch event for a new company, Canelo Promotions, out in the Middle East.

"[It will be] a big, big, big fight," the former stated. "It will be named Mexico Against the World, [with] a world title [...] surprise [for Canelo]."

Amid a splintered division left behind by Crawford's exit, it is unknown which title the star will pursue, having already passed on options.

Alvarez reportedly turned down a chance to face Osleys Iglesias for the IBF title fight, and appears out of contention for the WBO crown.

Canelo set to break streak with return

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - and for Canelo Alvarez, his fights around Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day are blockbuster affairs.

But in 2026, the star will bypass his usual celebration in early May, electing to wait it out effectively a full year before he returns to the ring.

On the one hand, it isn't too much of a surprise. The star isn't getting any younger and he was outclassed by Terence Crawford in some style.

But then again, with a division seeking to fill the power gap now, some did wonder if he may move faster to secure his place at the summit.

With details confirmed however, it gives Canelo a long run-in for his next encounter - and plenty of chances to fine-tune his overall approach.

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