Canelo confirms Saudi comeback plan and says his next fight will be against a current titleholder
Canelo Alvarez says he is targeting a September 12 return in Saudi Arabia after time away from the ring. The former undisputed champion added that he wants his next opponent to be a current titleholder.
Canelo, 35, also revealed he took time to deal with injuries that had been building, including elbow surgery. The injury has prevented Canelo from returning as quickly as he’d wanted to.
“I wish I were just days away from fighting, but well, I had to take care of my body and my injuries, which you tend to put off. Then they just keep piling up, so I gave myself that time to take care of what I had, and it was worth it,” said Canelo to Box Azteca.
“Right now, [the opponent is] what we’re looking at, analyzing. Richard [Schaefer] with Turki [Alalshikh] last week in London, so we’ll see. There’s a range of rivals there, let’s see who’s the best, but always, choosing the best, and above all, that he’s a champion.
“Honestly, I feel very good. I’ve been training, and I feel extremely good and happy because sometimes that’s what you need.”
No opponent has been finalized, though the expectation is that Canelo will face a titleholder as he looks to work his way back into the championship picture. With multiple belts spread across the division, there are options, but nothing has been confirmed publicly.
The clearest takeaway is simple. Canelo is healthy again, back in training, and aiming straight at a champion in September.
If Canelo wants a belt in September, he’s got these options to win one:
Christian Mbilli holds the WBC title and has been pushing for the fight. Osleys Iglesias recently picked up the IBF belt but remains a lower-profile name. The WBA picture will become clearer on May 2, when Armando Reséndiz defends against Jaime Munguía, a fight that could produce the most viable opponent on short notice.
A Munguía win would open the door to a rematch with built-in interest, while other options carry less commercial weight despite holding titles.
If Jaime Munguía beats WBA champion Jose Armando Resendiz on May 2, the path is obvious. A September rematch for the WBA title is there.
It lands on Mexican Independence Day weekend and brings back a name Canelo already beat. Munguía comes forward, throws, and stays in front of you. Canelo has already dealt with that style once.
Hamzah Sheeraz is scheduled to fight Alem Begic on May 23 for the vacant WBO Super Middleweight title. Since Canelo has stated his opponent must be a champion, the winner of this fight becomes an immediate eligible candidate.