Terence Crawford stated on May 21, 2026, that Canelo Alvarez will not retire from professional boxing despite his high-profile loss to the American star in late 2025. Speaking during DAZN’s coverage of fight week in Egypt, the undefeated five-division champion explained that the Mexican icon’s competitive drive and a lucrative multi-fight contract with Riyadh Season would likely see him continue his career. Alvarez, who is 36 years old, is currently scheduled to face Christian Mbilli in Saudi Arabia this September.
Crawford believes that Alvarez, whose professional record stands at 63-3-2, is motivated by a desire to exit the sport on a high note rather than a defeat. “Canelo won’t want to end his career on a loss like he did with me,” Crawford said during the broadcast. He suggested the four-division world champion remains focused on proving himself and reclaiming his status as a title holder to leave the sport on his own terms.
The fight between Crawford and Alvarez at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on September 13, 2025, was a historic event for the sport. It drew 70,482 fans — the highest boxing attendance in Nevada history — and was reportedly watched by more than 40 million viewers worldwide on Netflix. Judges scored the contest 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 in favor of Crawford. Despite the result, Alvarez has notably never been stopped in any of his three career defeats, having boxed 532 professional rounds.
Financial incentives and the Riyadh Season contract
Beyond personal pride, the financial reality of modern boxing plays a major role in the return of Canelo Alvarez. In 2025, the Mexican star signed a four-fight Riyadh Season deal estimated to be worth $400 million. With two fights remaining on that contract heading into the bout with Christian Mbilli, walking away now would mean leaving significant earnings on the table.
Projections indicate that if Alvarez completes his current obligations, his net worth could reach $700 million. There is even potential for that figure to climb toward $1 billion if he continues his partnership with Turki Alalshikh. These figures make retirement a difficult immediate prospect, particularly as the fighter previously indicated he intended to compete until the age of 37.
While the focus remains on his next move, the presence of other elite fighters at international events continues to draw headlines. For instance, Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Egyptian Pyramids. Crawford was covering the lead-up to this heavyweight clash for DAZN when he offered his assessment of Alvarez’s future.
Assessing the challenge of Christian Mbilli
Crawford also shared his thoughts on the upcoming clash between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli. “I think it’s going to be a great fight,” Crawford remarked, noting that Mbilli puts on a lot of pressure. He added that he is looking forward to seeing how the Mexican veteran bounces back and what type of physical shape he brings to the contest.
Brian ‘BoMac’ McIntyre, Crawford’s coach, offered his own perspective on whether Alvarez should continue. McIntyre stated that the man has nothing to prove and suggested he should assess his position back in the gym. “Your legacy is already cemented,” McIntyre added, pointing out that whether there is “two dollars or 200 million” left on a contract, a fighter should get what they can and exit the sport.
McIntyre also mentioned that he would love to see Alvarez fight again if he has more left in the tank, though he expressed that it does not matter who the specific opponent is because Alvarez no longer needs to fight for validation. This sentiment contrasts with Alvarez’s own comments from May 2025, where he insisted his body felt fine and that he wanted to retire at 37 on his own accord.
Legacy and the future of the super middleweight division
The September 2026 bout in Saudi Arabia will be closely watched by the boxing community to see if Alvarez can return to the win column. Since Crawford’s own career has focused on chasing the feeling of proving critics wrong, he understands the mindset of a veteran looking to silence doubters. In December 2025, Crawford noted that while gloves eventually come off, history is never retired.
As the heavyweight scene prepares for the Usyk vs Verhoeven title fight at the Pyramids, the focus on Alvarez highlights the enduring star power of the Mexican champion. Whether he can handle the pressure of Mbilli after the grueling 12-round tactical battle with Crawford remains the primary question for his upcoming camp.
Alvarez enters this next phase of his career with a knockout ratio of 62% and a reputation as an all-time great. If he adheres to his original plan of retiring at 37, the next twelve months will be the final chapter of one of boxing’s most decorated modern careers. For now, Crawford remains convinced that the “revenge tour” is just beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next fight for Canelo Alvarez?
Canelo Alvarez is scheduled to fight Christian Mbilli in September 2026. The bout is set to take place in Saudi Arabia as part of his ongoing multi-fight agreement with Riyadh Season.
What were the official scores for Crawford vs. Alvarez?
The fight held on September 13, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium ended in a unanimous decision victory for Terence Crawford. The three judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.
How many viewers watched the Crawford vs. Alvarez fight?
The high-stakes matchup between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez was reportedly watched by more than 40 million viewers worldwide on the Netflix streaming platform.
