Canelo Alvarez Starts His Training Camp

Canelo Alvarez has started his training camp for his return on September 12, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

After a year defined by elbow surgery and the loss of his undisputed 168 status to the now-retired Terence Crawford, the Mexican wants a world title fight on his return. Christian Mbilli currently sits at the top of the wish list. Having recently ascended to the full WBC championship, the undefeated Frenchman is the "on-paper" favorite for the Riyadh slot.

However, a legal and competitive hurdle exists: the WBC’s insistence on a rematch between Mbilli and Lester Martinez. If those two are forced into a summer showdown to settle their previous draw, Canelo will be forced to look elsewhere.

Other Options

A significant backup plan is unfolding in Egypt. On May 23, Hamzah Sheeraz meets Alem Begic for the vacant WBO belt. This fight is essentially an audition for the Canelo sweepstakes; the victor will walk away with the belt Canelo needs to begin his quest to become undisputed once again. This isn’t just another fight; it marks the launch of Canelo Promotions with the card titled "Mexico Against the World."

Objective	Detail
Primary Goal	Re-unifying the Super Middleweight Titles
Promotional Debut	Canelo Promotions (Inaugural Event)
Location	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mandatory Condition	Opponent must hold a Major World Title
Key Dates	May 23 (Sheeraz vs. Begic WBO Final)

By launching "Mexico Against the World," Canelo is betting on himself as both an elite athlete and a global promoter. The Saudi-backed venture is designed to prove that the "Canelo era" didn’t end with the Crawford defeat.

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