Canelo Alvarez Undergoes Elbow Surgery, Return Delayed Until 2026

LAS VEGAS, NV — Former undisputed super middleweight world champion boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez has undergone elbow surgery, delaying his return to the ring until the second quarter of 2026, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Álvarez, who had been experiencing elbow pain for several weeks, is expected to be sidelined for at least two months. He may return to full training in 12 to 15 weeks, according to the sources. Ring Magazine first reported the news of the surgery.

The 35-year-old fighter last stepped into the ring on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he lost to Terence Crawford. That defeat resulted in Álvarez losing his super middleweight titles, marking a significant setback in his career.

With a professional record of 63 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws, Álvarez had two more fights signed under Saudi sports promoter Turki Alalshikh after a recent victory against William Scull in Saudi Arabia on May 4. The original plans included a fight scheduled for February 2026, but with this surgery, those plans will change, pushing his return further back.

This marks the third surgery in Álvarez’s 20-year career, following knee surgery in 2018 and wrist surgery in 2022. Given his consistent fighting schedule historically, this postponement raises questions about his future performance and impact in the boxing world.

Promoters were counting on Álvarez’s star power to anchor major boxing events, which typically draw large crowds and generate significant pay-per-view sales. With Canelo’s absence, the boxing scene may feel the impact, as options for headliners become limited.

When he eventually returns, Canelo will face a transformed boxing landscape. At almost 36 years old, returning to the ring after surgery poses new challenges for the fighter, who must reclaim his championship status amidst rising competition.

As boxing evolves, all eyes will be on Álvarez to see if he can bounce back and maintain his esteemed status in the sport following this latest setback.