Canelo confirms next fight date and location

Canelo confirms first fight back after a year away

Four-weight world champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (63-3-2, 39 KOs) will be back in the ring on September 12, 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

His opponent hasn't yet been named, but the Mexican legend will very likely land a world title shot after fighting 17 world championship contests in a row. The last time Canelo competed in a non-championship bout was in May 2017, over nine years ago.

Potential opponents include IBF and IBO 168lbs champ Osleys Iglesias, who has been calling for Canelo for some time, and the former undisputed champion is the top-rated contender with the IBF and IBO .

As a respected long-reigning champion of the WBC, Canelo could be offered a mandatory shot at their current super-middleweight titleholder, Christian Mbilli.

The WBO belt is currently vacant, with Briton Hamzah Sheeraz and German Alem Begic poised to challenge for the honours on May 23 at the Great Pyramid of Giza. Whoever triumphs will have four months preparation to fight again in September, if they so choose.

The only governing body Alvarez is not the top-rated contender with is the WBA, as Bektemir Melikuziev is above him.

Canelo is ranked WBC #1, WBA #2, IBF #3, WBO #1, IBO #1.

Up at light-heavyweight, where he has won a WBO world title before, the unified champion is Dmitry Bivol who beat him decisively in 2022. The only other titleholder at 175lbs is David Benavidez, who strongly believes that Canelo is scared to fight him.

Therefore, it's most likely that the 35-year-old from Guadalajara will look to challenge for titles at super-middleweight, where he has dominated for years.

Super-middleweight World Champions

WBC: Christian Mbilli WBA: Jose Armando Resendiz IBF: Osleys Iglesias WBO: Vacant IBO: Osleys Iglesias

Light-heavyweight World Champions

WBC: David Benavidez WBA: Dmitry Bivol IBF: Dmitry Bivol WBO: Dmitry Bivol IBO: Dmitry Bivol