After shocking the world by announcing he’s starting college at the University of San Diego, boxing superstar Saul “Canelo” Álvarez is back in the gym and preparing for his boxing comeback.
Canelo Alvarez returns to training and sparring
“First day of classes yesterday and today my first sparring session since September,” Canelo wrote alongside a video he posted on social media. In the clip, the Mexican boxing star is seen working the heavy bag with gloves on, fully focused ahead of his next fight.
Canelo’s last appearance in the ring came on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Terence Crawford. That defeat also cost him the undisputed super middleweight world title.
Following the fight, Canelo Alvarez underwent elbow surgery and did not spar during his recovery, forcing him to reduce his training intensity for several months.
Now, the former champion is ramping things back up, balancing his boxing training with his new chapter as a college student.
When is Canelo Alvarez’s next fight?
The plan is for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to return to the ring in September 2026 in Saudi Arabia, although no opponent has been officially confirmed.
The leading candidates include Christian Mbilli, the current WBC super middleweight champion, and Lester Martínez, the interim WBC champion. Mbilli is widely viewed as the bigger fight and the most likely opponent for Canelo’s highly anticipated return.
