Canelo Alvarez has made headlines once again, confirming his return timeline after undergoing elbow surgery, which has compelled him to forfeit a significant date in boxing history meant for a showdown with David Benavidez.
Recently, Canelo graced New York City to attend the 2025 Ring Magazine Awards Ceremony, where Terence Crawford, the boxer who handed him his third and arguably most impactful defeat, received the prestigious Fight of the Year award. This loss appears to have somewhat tarnished Canelo's previously untouchable reputation, as he finds himself not only on the contender's list but also sidelined from the highly anticipated Cinco de Mayo event.
Instead of Canelo headlining this iconic weekend, his rival David Benavidez is slated to face off against the unified cruiserweight champion, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez. Despite this setback, Canelo remains optimistic about making a comeback, aiming for a fight in September of this year.
As he arrived at the awards ceremony slightly late, Canelo was all smiles, warmly greeting notable attendees such as Turki Alalshikh and Oleksandr Usyk. After the ceremony, he took a moment to share his future plans with reporters. When questioned about his readiness for a fight in May, Canelo simply stated, "No, May no," emphasizing that his primary focus must be on recovering from his recent surgery. He quickly added, "I’m going to be fighting in September," prompting further discussions about Benavidez.
A reporter inquired about Canelo's thoughts on the upcoming title bout between Benavidez and Ramirez on May 2. This question likely stemmed from the ongoing tension between Canelo and Benavidez, the latter having accused Canelo of dodging him over the years. Canelo’s response was nonchalant: "No, I don’t really care who takes the date," suggesting he is more focused on his recovery than on his rival’s activities.
Currently, Canelo’s primary concern is healing from his elbow surgery. The surgery has already led him to decline an opportunity to face IBF number-one contender Osleys Iglesias for the vacant title, citing the need to prioritize his rehabilitation. However, as Canelo approaches his 36th birthday, he seems determined and ready for a comeback.
Hints about Canelo's future were plentiful during an interaction with Turki Alalshikh, who expressed enthusiasm about their partnership. While accepting a gift from Canelo—his attire from a previous fight against Triple G—Alalshikh remarked, "We want you to stay with us for 5-7 years, not just 1 or 2. We are planning for a major fight in September, and we hope to eventually host the big fights in Mexico, attracting crowds of around half a million people." Canelo appeared to be in agreement, stating, "This is the idea."
Fans speculating about Canelo’s next moves might note a photo featuring him alongside Alalshikh and Christian M’billi, who has recently been elevated to a full WBC champion status. With Canelo ranked as the number-one contender, a possible matchup could soon materialize.
M’billi himself expressed optimism about facing Canelo in an interview with Fight Hub TV, stating, "I admire what Canelo has achieved in his career; he’s a very good fighter, and I hope to fight him very soon." This sentiment highlights potential championship paths for Canelo.
Physically, Canelo has demonstrated his readiness by sharing videos of himself shadowboxing and throwing punches. Although he may currently be down, it appears that Canelo still has ample time to recover and reclaim his rightful position within the sport.
