Canelo Alvarez lost his four super middleweight belts to Terence Crawford in a recent match. The unexpected defeat shook up the boxing world and raised questions about Alvarez's future in the sport.
Alvarez, one of Mexico's greatest boxers, faced a tough challenge against American fighter Terence "Bud" Crawford. Crawford's victory earned him the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles in the super middleweight division. This loss marks only the third defeat in Alvarez's professional career, following previous losses to Dmitrii Bivol in 2022 and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013.
After the fight, Alvarez decided to take some time off. He's now on vacation with his family, taking a break from the ring for the rest of 2025. But his plans for 2026 are already taking shape.
Turki Al-Sheikh, a key figure in Saudi Arabian boxing deals, visited Alvarez at his home. Al-Sheikh shared details about their meeting:
"I just visited the champion Canelo Alvarez at his home. He will soon begin his vacation with his family. He has two fights left with Riyadh Season in 2026... I want to especially thank Canelo for the very special gift. He gave me the gloves from the fight and I appreciate it very much."
This visit confirms Alvarez's continued involvement with Saudi Arabia's boxing scene. The boxer signed a big deal with Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Season, and Al-Sheikh earlier. This partnership will see Alvarez fight twice in 2026 as part of Riyadh Season events.
There's talk about who Alvarez might face in these upcoming fights. David Benavidez is one name that's come up as a potential opponent. These matches will likely draw a lot of attention, given Alvarez's status in the boxing world and the involvement of major players like the Saudi Arabian empire, TKO, WWE, and UFC.
Despite this recent setback, Alvarez's career remains impressive. He won his last fight against William Scull before facing Crawford. His reputation as one of boxing's top pound-for-pound fighters may have taken a hit, but fans and experts alike will be watching closely to see how he bounces back in 2026.
