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“It will be a surprise,” Alalshikh said on X. “It will be a BIG, big, big fight. Mexico against the world. This will be the first card for Canelo Promotions.”
The bout is scheduled for Mexican Independence Day weekend and will mark the first event promoted under Alvarez’s own banner. No weight class or sanctioning body has been confirmed, though Alalshikh has indicated the main event is expected to involve a world title.
Alvarez has not fought since his September 2025 loss to Terence Crawford. Crawford’s subsequent retirement ended any chance of a rematch and left multiple belts at super middleweight unsettled, opening several possible routes for Alvarez’s return.
The “Mexico against the world” branding has naturally fueled speculation about an international opponent. One name that continues to surface is Hamzah Sheeraz, a rising contender from the United Kingdom whom Alalshikh has previously praised as deserving of a major opportunity in 2026. His profile and timing align with the theme being promoted.
Chris Eubank Jr. has also been linked to Riyadh Season discussions involving Alvarez. The matchup would be marketable, though it would likely require movement outside the traditional super middleweight title picture.
Other possibilities remain more speculative. David Benavidez continues to be mentioned around Alvarez’s future, though positioning him under a “world” banner would be a stretch of the stated theme. A revenge attempt against Dmitry Bivol has also been floated, though weight considerations complicate that path.
For now, the date and location are locked. The opponent is not. That uncertainty appears intentional.
