Canelo Skips Cinco de Mayo — The Crawford Loss Still Hurts

Trainer Eddy Reynoso confirmed that Canelo is sitting out the first half of next year to let his surgically repaired left hand fully heal. The focus is on one thing: a September rematch with Terence Crawford.

It’s the first time in years that Cinco de Mayo will come and go without Canelo in the ring. But after fighting Crawford last September with one usable hand, he can’t afford to rush back. Doing that again would be career malpractice.

Even at full strength, the rematch is hard enough. Crawford’s minimalist style doesn’t give Alvarez many clean windows to land power shots. Fighting him half-healthy would be pointless.

Reynoso confirmed the plan to ESPN Knockout, saying the entire first half of 2026 will be used for recovery and preparation ahead of a Mexican Independence Day weekend return.

The Crawford rematch also checks the two biggest boxes for Canelo:

1. A chance to erase the loss
2. The biggest payday on the table

None of the top contenders at 168 offer that kind of money. The only comparable fight would be moving up to 175 for David Benavidez — and Canelo has shown zero interest in that. Crawford hasn’t either. Both know where the danger lines are.

What hurts the rematch, though, is that it won’t be undisputed. Crawford’s decision not to pay the $300,000 WBC sanctioning fee cost him the 168-pound belt, and the fight loses some of its edge without all four titles involved.

In hindsight, that fee looks cheap. One call to Turki Alalshikh probably would’ve settled it. Instead, the rematch still happens — just with less shine than it could’ve had.