Canelo Alvarez made it clear that May is no longer part of his plans, confirming instead that he expects to return to the ring in September as he continues to recover from elbow surgery.
His comments came during an appearance at the Ring magazine 2025 awards ceremony, a night that quietly reflected how much has changed since his defeat to Terence Crawford reshaped the conversation around his standing in the sport.
The evening itself offered an unavoidable reminder of that shift. Crawford, the man who handed Alvarez what many see as the most damaging loss of his career, was honoured with the Fight of the Year award.
For Alvarez, once the constant presence at the centre of boxing’s biggest nights, it was a moment that underlined his current distance from the spotlight he long controlled.
In recent years, Alvarez had turned the boxing calendar into something predictable. May and September belonged to him, with Cinco de Mayo weekend becoming almost synonymous with his name.
That rhythm has been broken. Surgery on his elbow forced a pause, and with it came the reality that this year’s spring showcase would go on without him. The date will now be headlined by David Benavidez, who faces unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, a pairing that has only intensified discussion about where Alvarez now fits.
Despite arriving late to the ceremony, Alvarez appeared at ease as he moved through the room, greeting familiar faces such as Turki Alalshikh and Oleksandr Usyk. When he stopped to speak with reporters, the questions were direct. One cut straight to the point: “So, were you not ready for May? Was May not going to be an option?”
Alvarez did not hesitate. “No, May no.”
The answer was brief, but it set the tone. His focus, he explained, remains firmly on his elbow, the injury that required surgery and has shaped every decision since his loss to Crawford. Still, he was keen to draw a line under any uncertainty about his return.
“I’m going to be fighting in September,” he said, offering a clear target after months of speculation.
Recovery over routine as the division adjusts
Once the timeline was established, attention shifted to what Alvarez would be missing and who would fill the gap. Benavidez‘s elevation to the Cinco de Mayo headline has carried added weight given the long-standing tension between the two fighters.
Benavidez has repeatedly accused Alvarez of avoiding a bout, and his presence on that weekend has been framed by some as symbolic.
Asked for his thoughts on the upcoming title fight between Benavidez and Ramirez, Alvarez showed little interest in the wider narrative.
“No, I don’t really care who takes the date,” he said, brushing aside any suggestion that the weekend itself holds special importance for him now.
Behind the calm tone sits a more complicated reality. The elbow injury has already influenced more than just his schedule. Alvarez reportedly declined the chance to face IBF number one contender Osleys Iglesias for a vacant title, citing his ongoing recovery.
For a fighter who once built his reputation on activity and control, passing on a title opportunity marked a notable change in approach.
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