Back on Monday reports confirmed that Canelo Alvarez will undergo surgery to repair an elbow injury, news that surfaced just over two weeks after his high-profile defeat to Terence Crawford.
The injury raises questions about whether it had any effect on Alvarez’s performance and how it might impact plans for a potential rematch between the two boxing giants.
In their September 13 bout, Crawford secured a unanimous decision victory over Alvarez, taking all four of the Mexican star’s super middleweight titles in a fight that shook up the pound-for-pound rankings.
What’s not entirely clear is whether the elbow issue was something Alvarez carried into the ring or if it occurred during the fight itself. However, given the intensity of training camps, it’s likely the injury developed before fight night.
Mike Coppinger of The Ring reported that Alvarez was originally scheduled to return in February 2026 as part of his four-fight deal with Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh. That plan is now off the table. Following surgery, Alvarez is expected to be sidelined until at least the second or third quarter of 2026.
Delayed but not denied: A rematch still feasible
While some might assume this delay complicates a Crawford rematch, it may actually align with both fighters’ current trajectories. Though Alvarez’s February opponent hadn’t been announced prior to the injury news, speculation heavily leaned toward Crawford, given the massive interest and financial success of their first meeting.
From Crawford’s side, there’s no urgency to rush back into the ring. His trainer, Brian “BoMac” McIntyre, told Fight Hub TV that Crawford plans to take the rest of the year off to rest and spend time with family.
This isn’t out of the ordinary as Crawford has averaged just one fight per year since 2019, typically returning in the second half of the year, often in November or December.
Given this timeline, Alvarez’s extended recovery period may actually set the stage for both fighters to return around the same time. A potential rematch in late 2026 is still very much in play, and the additional downtime could lead to a more competitive and evenly matched fight.
There’s also speculation that Alvarez’s elbow may have hampered his performance in their first meeting. While no fighter steps into the ring at 100%, an injury of this nature could explain some of the lapses in output and power fans saw during the bout.
Ultimately, rather than derailing a rematch, Alvarez’s injury may simply reset the clock-giving both champions time to recover, recalibrate, and potentially deliver an even more compelling sequel in what could be one of boxing’s biggest events of 2026.
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