If you’re wondering what time is the canelo fight, you’ve probably noticed the boxing world has been a bit quiet lately. Honestly, it’s been weird. We usually see Saúl "Canelo" Alvarez at least twice a year like clockwork—once in May and once in September. But 2025 ended on a heavy note with that loss to Terence Crawford. Then came the surgery.
He’s been out.
But the silence finally broke just a few days ago. Turki Alalshikh basically dropped a bomb on social media, confirming that Canelo is officially coming back. If you're looking for a May date, though, you're going to be disappointed. He's skipping the Cinco de Mayo slot this year to make sure that elbow is 100% healed.
The Official Date and Time for Canelo’s Comeback
The next time we see the face of boxing in the ring will be Saturday, September 12, 2026.
This isn't just another Vegas night. He’s headed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Because the fight is happening in the Middle East, the timing is going to be a little funky for those of us in the States. Usually, a Canelo main event starts around 11:00 PM ET when he's at the T-Mobile Arena. Riyadh is a different beast.
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For the September 12 card, dubbed "Mexico Against the World," you can expect the main ringwalks to happen around:
- 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM ET (U.S. East Coast)
- 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM PT (U.S. West Coast)
- 10:00 PM to Midnight (Local Riyadh Time)
It’s basically going to be a "day-drinking and boxing" vibe for the American audience. Sorta like those heavy heavyweight cards we’ve been seeing lately.
What Really Happened With the Delay?
People were speculating that Canelo was "done" after the Crawford fight. He’s 35, almost 36. He’s got more money than most small countries. In fact, reports just came out yesterday showing he’s the second highest-paid athlete in the world right now, even sitting above Lionel Messi with $137 million in earnings for the year.
He doesn't need to fight.
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But the delay wasn't about a lack of hunger. It was medical. That October 2025 elbow surgery was serious enough that his trainer, Eddy Reynoso, insisted on a full year of recovery. They aren't rushing it. Skipping May 2026 is a big deal because that’s a massive revenue weekend, but they’re playing the long game.
Who is the opponent?
That's the million-dollar question. Or the 100-million-dollar question. Alalshikh called it a "surprise."
The rumors are swirling like crazy:
- The Crawford Rematch: This is what the fans want. Crawford is technically retired, but "retirement" in boxing is usually just a fancy word for "pay me more."
- Hamzah Sheeraz: The British tall-man who just wrecked Edgar Berlanga. He’s young, he’s dangerous, and he’s exactly the kind of "new blood" the Saudis like to showcase.
- Christian Mbilli: The Frenchman is the WBC mandatory. He’s a tank. It wouldn't be the biggest commercial fight, but it would be a "real" boxing match.
- Dmitry Bivol: The white whale. Canelo still wants that revenge, and Bivol is always down for a big check.
Why the "Mexico Against the World" Theme Matters
This isn't just a Canelo fight. It’s the launch of Canelo Promotions.
Basically, he’s taking a page out of the Mayweather playbook. He wants to own the whole show. The September 12 card will feature a stack of Mexican prospects and champions from his own stable facing international opponents.
It’s a legacy move.
If you're trying to plan your weekend around what time is the canelo fight, just remember that this is a global event. You won't be staying up until 1:00 AM in the morning on a Sunday to see the result unless you’re in Europe. For the U.S. crowd, it's a Saturday afternoon affair.
Practical Steps for Fight Fans
Since the fight is still months away, here is how you should handle the lead-up:
- Don't buy tickets yet: Any site claiming to sell tickets for Riyadh in September right now is likely a scam or a secondary "speculative" seller. Wait for the official Riyadh Season announcement.
- Watch the vacant belts: Since Crawford retired, the 168-pound titles are scattered. Keep an eye on the Mbilli vs. Sheeraz negotiations. Whoever holds a belt by July is the front-runner to face Canelo.
- Check the streaming platform: There’s a lot of chatter about whether this stays on DAZN or moves back to a platform like Netflix (which handled the 2025 Crawford fight). This will determine if you’re paying $80 for a PPV or just your monthly sub.
Mark your calendars for mid-September. The King of Guadalajara isn't retiring just yet, but at 36, these "event" fights are becoming a rare commodity.
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Actionable Insight: Set a calendar alert for July 2026. That is typically when the official press tour begins and the "surprise" opponent will be finalized. Until then, any "confirmed" opponent you see on social media is likely just clickbait or promotional posturing.