If you’re looking for the walk-out music and the smell of expensive tequila in a Las Vegas arena right now, you’re going to be waiting a while. Honestly, the boxing world is a bit upside down lately. Usually, by mid-January, we’re already counting down the days to a massive Cinco de Mayo showdown involving Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. But 2026 is looking very different.
The short answer to when does the canelo fight start is that there isn't a confirmed bell time yet because Canelo has officially stepped back from his traditional May date.
We’re looking at a long layoff. After a bruising encounter with Terence "Bud" Crawford in September 2025—a fight that saw Canelo lose by unanimous decision at Allegiant Stadium—the Mexican superstar had to undergo surgery on his right elbow in October. That changed everything. Recovery for a guy who has been fighting professionally for twenty years isn't as snappy as it used to be.
The September 2026 Target: What We Know
Boxing isn't just about the punches; it's about the calendar. Canelo has basically owned two weekends for a decade: Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day. For 2026, the May slot is officially vacant. Reports from beIN SPORTS and Ring Magazine confirm that while Canelo is back in the gym as of early January 2026, he’s not rushing the elbow.
The most realistic window for the next Canelo fight to start is September 2026.
💡 You might also like: Why the India vs Australia Test Score Tells a Much Grittier Story Than the Scoreboard Suggests
Typically, when Canelo headlines a card in the United States, the main event ringwalks happen around 11:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM PT. If he heads back to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of his ongoing deal with Sheikh Turki Alalshikh, the timing shifts dramatically for US fans, often starting much earlier in the afternoon—around 5:00 PM ET.
Why the delay?
It’s not just the injury. It’s the ego and the rankings. Following Crawford's stunning victory over Canelo, "Bud" actually retired briefly, leaving the super-middleweight division in a total state of chaos. Canelo was even ordered by the IBF to face Osleys Iglesias, but he had to pass because the elbow simply wasn't ready for a training camp.
- Injury Status: Post-elbow surgery (October 2025).
- Current Training: Light bag work and conditioning as of January 6, 2026.
- Primary Target: September 2026.
- The "Crawford" Factor: Canelo wants the rematch, but negotiations haven't even started.
Who is Canelo actually fighting next?
This is where things get messy. Everyone wants the Crawford rematch. Canelo wants to avenge that loss more than anything. But Crawford’s retirement—even if it's one of those "boxing retirements" that lasts three months—has thrown a wrench in the gears.
If it isn't Crawford in September, the names being whispered in gym circles are high-risk, low-reward. David Benavidez is still the boogeyman everyone wants Canelo to face, but that fight feels further away than ever. There’s also Hamzah Sheeraz or Chris Eubank Jr. if the fight lands in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia is the wildcard here. Canelo signed a massive multi-fight deal to compete in Riyadh. We were supposed to see him in February 2026, but the surgery scrapped that. Now, the rumors suggest an October date in Saudi could follow a September date in Vegas, but that’s a brutal turnaround for a 35-year-old veteran.
✨ Don't miss: What Time Is The Steelers Game Today? Here Is Why You Cannot Find It
How to watch and what to expect
When the fight finally does happen, the broadcast home is almost certainly going to be DAZN PPV or potentially Amazon Prime Video, depending on which promoters win the tug-of-war for the September date.
You’ve got to remember that Canelo fights aren't just boxing matches; they are marathons. The "main card" usually starts four hours before Canelo actually touches gloves. If the broadcast starts at 8:00 PM ET, don't expect to see Canelo until much later. He loves the pageantry. The national anthems, the mariachi bands, the long walks—it’s a whole thing.
Actionable Steps for Fans
Since there is no fight scheduled for the first half of 2026, here is how you should track the return:
- Watch the "Riyadh Season" announcements: Sheikh Turki Alalshikh usually breaks news on X (formerly Twitter) before the major networks.
- Monitor the IBF and WBC rankings: Canelo currently holds the titles, but the sanctioning bodies are getting impatient. If he’s stripped of another belt, the "undisputed" lure of his next fight vanishes.
- Check the Elbow: Keep an eye on footage from the No Limit or Canelo Promotions social media. If he isn't throwing the right hook with full extension by March, September might even be optimistic.
The bottom line is that the answer to when does the canelo fight start is currently "Wait for September." The King of Mexican boxing is healing. For the first time in a long time, the sport has to move forward without its biggest star for the first half of the year. It’s a weird vibe, but after the war he went through with Crawford, the rest is probably earned.
📖 Related: Is Tristan Thompson Still in the NBA? What Most People Get Wrong
Keep your schedule open for mid-September 2026. That’s when the real fireworks return. Until then, we’re all just watching the gym clips and waiting for the official press conference to drop.
Source Reference:
- Antonio Medina, beIN SPORTS (January 8, 2026)
- Brian Campbell, CBS Sports (January 7, 2026)
- DAZN News Fight Schedule (Updated January 2026)
Key Takeaway: No fight for May 2026. Target return is September 2026, likely in Las Vegas or Riyadh, with ringwalks typically occurring around 11:00 PM ET for US-based bouts.