Trainer Eddy Reynoso confirmed that Canelo will sit out the first half of next year to allow his surgically repaired left hand to fully heal. The focus is on one thing: a September rematch with Terence Crawford.
This is the first time in years that Cinco de Mayo will come and go without Canelo in the ring. But after fighting Crawford with one serviceable hand last September, he can’t afford to back down. To do so again would be career malpractice.
Even at full strength the rematch is hard enough. Crawford’s minimalist style doesn’t give Alvarez many clean windows to land power shots. Fighting him half healthy would be pointless.
Reynoso presented the plan to ESPN knockoutand says the entire first half of 2026 will be used for recovery and preparation before a Mexican Independence Day weekend return.
The Crawford rematch also checks the two biggest boxes for Canelo:
- A chance to erase the loss
- The biggest payday on the table
None of the top contenders at 168 are offering that kind of money. The only comparable fight would be moving up to 175 for David Benavidez — and Canelo has shown no interest in that. Neither did Crawford. Both know where the danger limits are.
However, what hurts the rematch is that it will not be uncontested. Crawford’s decision not to pay the $300,000 WBC sanctioning fee cost him the 168-pound belt, and the fight lost its lead without all four titles on the line.
In hindsight, that fee seems cheap. One call to Turki Alalshikh probably would have settled it. Instead, the rematch still takes place – just with less glamor than it could have.
Last updated on 13/12/2025
