You’ve seen the red hair, the icy stare, and the vicious body shots that make grown men fold like lawn chairs. But honestly, as we sit here in early 2026, the conversation around Saul Canelo Alvarez has changed. It’s no longer just about whether he can win; it's about what he has left to prove after a career that has basically spanned two decades of absolute dominance and a few humbling speed bumps.
Most people think they know Canelo. They see the private jets, the custom Dolce & Gabbana outfits, and the massive Guadalajara estate. But if you really look at the trajectory of Saul Canelo Alvarez, you realize he isn't just a boxer anymore. He's a walking, breathing institution of Mexican sports.
The Elephant in the Room: The Crawford Aftermath
Let’s be real. September 13, 2025, was a weird night for boxing. Seeing Canelo drop a unanimous decision to Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium felt like a glitch in the matrix. Crawford was smaller, moving up, yet he out-pointed the Mexican icon in a tactical chess match that left fans stunned.
That loss moved Canelo's record to 63-3-2. Now, three losses might sound like a lot to a casual fan who’s used to the protected "0" of modern champions, but look at who those losses are to: Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol, and Terence Crawford. That’s a Mount Rushmore of technical brilliance.
Canelo didn't lose because he's "washed." He lost because he keeps chasing the hardest possible fights at ages where most legends are busy signing autographs at conventions.
What's Next for the King of 168?
Right now, the rumor mill is spinning faster than a Canelo left hook. Just yesterday, Turki Alalshikh and The Ring magazine dropped a bombshell: Canelo is returning on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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The theme? "Mexico Against the World."
He’s 35 now—turning 36 by fight night—and he's coming off a left elbow surgery from October 2025. It’s a risky move. Usually, when a fighter hits their mid-30s and starts undergoing surgeries, the "snap" in their punches is the first thing to go. But Canelo has never relied solely on speed. He relies on timing, and honestly, his timing is still elite.
The list of potential opponents is getting spicy:
- David Benavidez: The fight everyone has screamed for since 2021. Benavidez is now a light heavyweight monster, but fans still want to see if Canelo can "crack the code" of the Mexican Monster.
- Hamzah Sheeraz: A 6’3” nightmare from the UK who would have a massive height advantage.
- Christian Mbilli: The French-Cameroonian brawler who brings the kind of pressure that usually brings out the best in Canelo's counter-punching.
Word on the street is that Canelo desperately wants a rematch with Crawford to avenge that 2025 loss. But with Crawford recently hinting at retirement, that door might be closing.
The Business of Being Canelo
You can't talk about Saul Canelo Alvarez without talking about the money. His net worth is reportedly hovering around $300 million. He isn't just "rich for a boxer"; he’s a legit business mogul in Mexico.
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Have you seen the gas stations?
He launched "Canelo Energy" in Western Mexico. Then there's "Upper," his chain of convenience stores. He basically looked at the business model of 7-Eleven and decided he wanted a piece of that action. Add in his own tequila brand (Casa México) and a fitness app, and you see why he’s not stressed about a three-fight contract with Riyadh Season. He’s making $100 million purses while most fighters are begging for a five-figure payday.
Why Critics Get It Wrong
There’s a segment of the boxing world that loves to hate on Saul. They say he "cherry-picks" or "waits for guys to get old."
That’s honestly hilarious.
Since 2020, he has fought Callum Smith, Billy Joe Saunders, Caleb Plant, Dmitry Bivol, Gennadiy Golovkin, John Ryder, Jermell Charlo, Jaime Munguia, and Edgar Berlanga. That is a gauntlet of champions and undefeated contenders. Did he catch GGG a little late? Maybe. But he also stepped up to 175 pounds to fight Bivol when he didn't have to.
The reality is that Saul Canelo Alvarez is the last of a dying breed: a superstar who fights twice a year, every year, against whoever the fans are talking about.
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The Physical Toll
If you watch his recent fights—specifically the win over William Scull in early 2025—you can see the shift. He’s more economical. He doesn't throw 800 punches a night. He waits. He stalks. He uses his feet to cut off the ring, and then he let's go of that thudding right hand to the ribs.
The elbow surgery in late 2025 was a major red flag, though. Recovering from a joint surgery at 35 is different than doing it at 25. The recovery time is longer, and the scar tissue can mess with your range of motion. We’ll know within the first three rounds of his September comeback if the power is still there.
How to Follow the Comeback
If you're looking to keep up with Canelo's next moves, don't just watch the highlight reels. Keep an eye on his training camp in Sherman Oaks, CA. Eddy Reynoso, his lifelong trainer, is notoriously private, but the videos that leak usually tell the story. If he's moving fluidly and that left hook looks sharp, the rest of the 168-pound division is in trouble.
Check the official Riyadh Season announcements for the undercard details. The "Mexico Against the World" event is shaping up to be the biggest boxing spectacle of 2026.
To really understand his legacy, go back and watch his first fight with Austin Trout from 2013. Then watch his masterclass against Caleb Plant. The evolution from a brawler with "cinnamon" hair to a technical grandmaster is one of the coolest stories in the sport.
He’s already a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s already the first-ever undisputed super middleweight champion. At this point, everything else is just icing on the cake.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Audit his record: Go beyond the wins and look at the "Rounds Boxed" stat (over 530 rounds). It explains why his ring IQ is so high.
- Watch the Footwork: In his upcoming September fight, watch his lead foot. If he's still winning the "outside foot" battle, he's going to dominate.
- Monitor the Weights: See if he stays at 168 or tries one last jump to 175. That will tell you everything you need to know about his remaining ambitions.