Canelo Alvarez, the Mexican boxing superstar, is preparing to return to the ring on September 12, 2026, after undergoing elbow surgery. His comeback fight against Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight title marks a new chapter following his loss to Terence Crawford in September 2025. With a career spanning two decades, Alvarez remains one of the most talked-about figures in the sport.
The fight, scheduled in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is part of a four-fight deal with the Riyadh Season promoter. Alvarez’s path back to championship glory involves reclaiming a belt he once held as undisputed champion, and the bout with Mbilli offers a direct route to that goal.
Beyond the immediate schedule, questions about his net worth, career record, and future opponents continue to generate interest. This article provides a fact-based look at where Alvarez stands today, using confirmed information from official sources and boxing reports.
When is Canelo Alvarez’s next fight? (Upcoming boxing schedule)
Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez
35 (born July 18, 1990)
Mexican
Super Middleweight (168 lbs)
63-3-2 (39 KOs)
70.5 in (179 cm)
5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
September 12, 2026 vs Christian Mbilli
Key insights about his return
- Alvarez will face Christian Mbilli for the WBC super-middleweight championship on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- His last fight was a loss to Terence Crawford on September 13, 2025, after which Crawford became undisputed champion and later retired.
- Alvarez underwent elbow surgery following the Crawford fight, delaying his originally planned February 2026 return.
- He is currently ranked the No. 1 contender in both WBC and WBO rankings.
- He has signed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, with two bouts originally scheduled for 2026 (February and October).
- Potential future opponents after Mbilli include Chris Eubank Jr., Dmitry Bivol, and a rematch with Terence Crawford.
Fight schedule facts
| Date | Event | Location | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 12, 2026 | Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli (WBC super-middleweight title) | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Sky Sports |
| September 13, 2025 | Terence Crawford defeats Canelo Alvarez by decision | Las Vegas, USA | Sky Sports |
| May 2024 | Canelo Alvarez def. Jaime Munguia (UD) | Las Vegas, USA | BoxRec / ESPN |
| September 2023 | Canelo Alvarez def. Jermell Charlo (UD) | Las Vegas, USA | BoxRec |
| May 2023 | Canelo Alvarez def. John Ryder (UD) | Guadalajara, Mexico | BoxRec |
| September 2022 | Canelo Alvarez def. Gennady Golovkin III (UD) | Las Vegas, USA | BoxRec |
| May 2022 | Dmitry Bivol def. Canelo Alvarez (UD) | Las Vegas, USA | BoxRec |
| November 2021 | Canelo Alvarez def. Caleb Plant (TKO) – becomes undisputed super middleweight champion | Las Vegas, USA | BoxRec |
What is Canelo Alvarez’s net worth in 2025?
Alvarez has not publicly disclosed his current net worth. Based on his career built around high-profile pay-per-view events and major promoter deals, including the recent Riyadh Season agreement, financial analysts estimate his worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The loss to Terence Crawford and subsequent elbow surgery delayed his 2026 earning potential by several months.
Alvarez’s four-fight contract with Riyadh Season is expected to generate substantial earnings. His previous deals with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing, combined with live gate and pay-per-view shares, have historically placed him among the highest-paid athletes in combat sports.
How the Crawford loss affected his finances
The loss to Crawford not only cost him his undisputed titles but also postponed his 2026 fight schedule. Surgery required several months of recovery, pushing his next contracted bout from February to September 2026. This delay likely reduced his annual fight income for the year.
What is Canelo Alvarez’s boxing record? (Wins, losses, weight class, age)
Alvarez holds a professional record of 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 knockouts according to BoxRec. He has competed across four weight classes: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. As of mid-2026, he is 35 years old and fights at super middleweight (168 lbs).
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Wins | 63 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Knockouts | 39 |
| Current division | Super middleweight (168 lbs) |
| Reach | 70.5 in (179 cm) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Age | 35 (born July 18, 1990) |
| Professional debut | 2005 (age 15) |
| Most recent fight | Loss to Terence Crawford (September 2025) |
Alvarez became the first undisputed super middleweight champion in the four-belt era by defeating Caleb Plant in 2021. He held the WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF titles until his loss to Crawford in 2025.
Who has Canelo Alvarez lost to in his career?
Alvarez has three losses on his record. The most recent came on September 13, 2025, when Terence Crawford defeated him by decision to become the undisputed super middleweight champion. Earlier losses include Floyd Mayweather Jr. (2013, majority decision) and Dmitry Bivol (2022, unanimous decision) at light heavyweight.
His two draws are against Jorge Juárez (2006) and Gennady Golovkin (2017, split draw). Alvarez has never been stopped.
The defeat to Crawford, combined with elbow surgery, forced Alvarez to relinquish his undisputed title and pause his career. He is now pursuing a rematch with Crawford, who has expressed openness to fighting in 2026, according to Bloody Elbow.
Canelo Álvarez Career Timeline
- 2005 – Professional debut at age 15.
- 2011 – Wins WBC light middleweight title.
- 2013 – First career loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
- 2018 – Wins WBA, WBC, IBF middleweight titles after Golovkin rematch.
- 2020 – Becomes unified super middleweight champion.
- 2021 – Becomes undisputed super middleweight champion by defeating Caleb Plant.
- 2022 – Loss to Dmitry Bivol at light heavyweight; wins trilogy fight vs Golovkin.
- 2023 – Defends super middleweight titles against John Ryder, Jermell Charlo.
- 2024 – Defeats Jaime Munguia; no further fights that year.
- 2025 – Loses to Terence Crawford; undergoes elbow surgery; signs four-fight Riyadh Season deal.
- 2026 – Scheduled to face Christian Mbilli on September 12 for WBC super-middleweight title.
What is confirmed vs what is speculation?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Alvarez’s next fight is confirmed: September 12, 2026 vs Christian Mbilli in Riyadh (WBC title). | Exact net worth figures are not publicly disclosed; estimates vary. |
| He lost to Terence Crawford on September 13, 2025, and underwent elbow surgery afterward. | Whether a rematch with Crawford will happen in 2026 is not officially confirmed. |
| His professional record is 63-3-2 (39 KOs) per BoxRec. | The specific date for the second contracted fight of his Riyadh Season deal in 2026 is not yet announced. |
| He is 35 years old, fights at super middleweight, and is ranked No.1 by WBC and WBO. | Potential opponents beyond Mbilli (Eubank Jr., Bivol) remain speculative. |
Analysis: Canelo Alvarez’s career trajectory and legacy
Alvarez has built one of the most decorated résumés in modern boxing. He has held world championships in four weight classes and was the first to unify all four major belts at super middleweight. His disciplined career management and ability to draw massive pay-per-view audiences have made him the face of the sport for much of the past decade.
The loss to Crawford in 2025 was a significant setback, but Alvarez has stated his goal of becoming a two-time undisputed champion at 168 pounds. His return fight against Mbilli, the current WBC champion after Crawford’s retirement, is a direct step toward that objective.
At 35, Alvarez’s window for a second prime is limited, but his recent performances before the Crawford fight indicated he remained at an elite level. The surgery and recovery period may also benefit his longevity.
Key quotes and authoritative sources
“Canelo is one of the greatest Mexican fighters of all time.”
ESPN boxing analyst
For further reading, refer to the official records and biographies:
- BoxRec: Saul Alvarez (official record)
- Wikipedia: Canelo Álvarez
- ESPN: Canelo biography
- Tapology: Canelo Álvarez fighter page
What’s next for Canelo Alvarez?
Alvarez is focused on reclaiming a world title against Christian Mbilli on September 12, 2026. A victory could set up a rematch with Terence Crawford, a potential unification bout, or a move to light heavyweight for a Bivol rematch. With a four-fight contract in the Riyadh Season, fans can expect at least two more fights in 2026 and 2027. Check the Boxing tonight schedule for updates.
Frequently asked questions about Canelo Alvarez
How old is Canelo Alvarez?
Canelo Alvarez was born on July 18, 1990, making him 35 years old as of mid-2026.
What weight class does Canelo Alvarez fight at?
He currently fights at super middleweight (168 lbs), but has competed in multiple weight classes during his career.
What is Canelo Alvarez’s reach?
His reach is 70.5 inches (179 cm).
How many fights has Canelo Alvarez won by knockout?
He has 39 knockouts out of 63 wins.
Is Canelo Alvarez fighting Terence Crawford again?
No official announcement has been made, but Alvarez is pursuing a rematch and Crawford has expressed openness to fighting in 2026.
Who beat Canelo Alvarez?
Alvarez has lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (2013), Dmitry Bivol (2022), and Terence Crawford (2025).
What titles did Canelo Alvarez hold?
He was the undisputed super middleweight champion holding WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF belts until his loss to Crawford.
When did Canelo Alvarez make his professional debut?
He made his debut in 2005 at the age of 15.
Where is Canelo Alvarez’s next fight?
His next fight is on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, against Christian Mbilli.
What is Canelo Alvarez’s net worth?
His net worth is not publicly disclosed, but estimates place it in the hundreds of millions of dollars based on his pay-per-view events and promoter deals.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.