Cinco De Mayo 2026 and the Future of Canelo in Wide Open For the Super Middleweight Division
Editorial By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
After undergoing elbow surgery after the Terence Crawford bout, according to journalist Salvador Rodriguez, Canelo’s trainer Eddy Reynoso has confirmed former World Super Middleweight champion Saul Alvarez won’t be competing on his traditional Cinco de Mayo date in May 2026, and instead is targeting a September 2026 return with the now retired Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford their ‘Plan A’ opponent.
29-0-1 Christian Mbilli of Montreal, Canada, currently holds the World Boxing Council interim World Super Middleweight title. 14-0 Cuban Osleys Iglesias of Belrin, Germany, currently holds the IBO World Super Middleweight title. Either could be the ‘Plan B’ opponent.
The WBA, WBC, and WBO World titles held by Crawford were sprung vacant by his retirement announcement. The International Boxing Federation World Super Middleweight title has already been vacated by Bud Crawford.
With Canelo having declared inactivity for at least a full calendar year, the WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO 168 pound titles are up for grabs. Mbilli and Iglesias can maneuver for the other belts, or each other, depending on which way the promoters play it. The belts are not going to wait for Canelo’s recovery or return to the ring at his self-declared convenience.
Hamzah Sheeraz, Jermall Charlo, Diego Pacheco, Pavel Silyagin, Jaime Munguia, Luka Plantic, Lester Martinez, Jacob Bank, Bek Nurmaganbet, Simon Zachenhuber, William Scull, Mikita Zon, Chris Eubank Jr. and Wilkens Matheu are among the top names bidding in 2026 for a shot at one of the 168 pounds world title belts currently available. The issue is by the time Canelo opts to return to the ring post-surgery, he may wind up in a position of having to start from scratch to unify the division all over again. In he meanwhile, Crawford might descend to 160 pounds middleweight and pursue a more reasonable weight title here closer to his natural fighting weight. Despite retirement, Crawford is healthy, while Canelo is in recuperative mode, making Crawford more like to unretired first if he does if the right offer comes along.
Bud has always dealt with the ring on his own terms. Without the likes of Crawford, Canelo, and Floyd, and with Jake Paul exposed handily by Anthony Joshua, boxing needs a new superstar in 2026 to draw the fans in. Oleksandr Usyk is no Sugar Ray Leonard. David Benavidez is a big draw, but his issue remains none of the big names want to fight him. Canelo brings the mega paycheck and the draw, yet can afford no more losses at age 36.
One more loss in a mega fight to the likes of a Benavidez, an Artur Beterbiev, Gilberto Ramirez or Dmitrii Bivol, and Canelo’s stock at age 36 or older would be considerably reduced. Crawford is a once or twice a year picky chooser. If Bud Crawford returns in mid-2026, as Canelo is not available, WBA regular champion Erislandy Lara, who is older than Bud, remains a high possibility for Bud. Also, the IBO world middleweight title belt is vacant.
If Canelo were to go for 31-0 World Boxing Council World Light Heavyweight champion David Benavidez of Miami, Florida, in 2026, a comeback tuneup bout would be advisable for Canelo first. Chris Eubank Jr. has been rumored to be a top candidate for Canelo’s comeback opponent. Canelo would be more comfortable with a catch weight of 170 pounds in a mega bout with Benavidez. After losing to Bivol, Canelo still seems better suited to retain his competitive ring edge fighting at 168 pounds or less. TV Azteca has reported Canelo’s camp has been in negotiations for a 2026 rematch with Crawford, negated by Crawford’s retirement announcement subsequently, but who knows what 2026 will bring in the ring?
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