There was never a rematch clause and according to Crawford, nobody from Canelo’s side ever asked. Meanwhile Canelo’s comeback now has a date: 31 October in Riyadh.
Published: Wednesday, 29 July 2026 | BrandClickX News Desk
Summary
Terence Crawford beat Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez by unanimous decision on 13 September 2025 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, becoming undisputed super middleweight champion. He retired that December. In interviews this month, Crawford said no rematch clause existed and that Canelo’s team never approached him. Canelo, who has not fought since, returns on 31 October 2026 against WBC champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh.
What Happened in the Fight?
Crawford moved up two weight classes and outboxed Canelo over twelve rounds to win a unanimous decision.
The result made him undisputed super middleweight champion and a world titleholder in a fifth weight class. More significantly, he became the first male boxer in the four-belt era to hold undisputed titles in three different divisions light welterweight, welterweight and super middleweight.
It was Canelo’s third professional defeat in a 68-fight career, following Floyd Mayweather in 2013 and Dmitry Bivol in 2022. It was his first loss at 168lb, and he had been unbeaten since the Bivol fight.
The event streamed on Netflix and ranks among the richest in boxing history.
Why Did the Rematch Never Happen?
Because there was no rematch clause in the contract and Crawford says nobody from Canelo’s camp ever raised one.
Crawford addressed it directly on The Breakfast Club this month, in his first substantial comments since retiring. “There was no rematch clause. Nobody said anything about Canelo.” He added that this remained true to the day of the interview.
He also said he would have honoured a rematch had the contract required one.
On 23 July he went further, saying Turki Alalshikh had never offered him a Canelo rematch either contradicting months of speculation that a deal was being explored behind the scenes.
The Fight That Might Have Kept Him Boxing
Crawford revealed he was interested in moving to middleweight, but only for an undisputed shot.
That plan collapsed when Janibek Alimkhanuly, then holding the IBF and WBO belts, failed a doping test before a three-belt unification with Erislandy Lara. Had the winner of that fight gone on to face WBC champion Carlos Adames, Crawford suggested he might have stayed in the sport.
The Two Accounts Do Not Match
This is the part worth noticing. Canelo has said publicly and repeatedly that he wants the rematch. Crawford says nobody ever called.
In February, Canelo told Ring Magazine he believed he deserved another shot. In early July he said again that he hoped the fight would happen, calling it a big fight and one fans deserved.
Ring Magazine had also reported that Canelo declared a second fight was in negotiations for 2026.
Set against Crawford’s account no clause, no approach, no conversation with Alalshikh those positions cannot both be complete. Either the interest never reached Crawford’s team, or it was never formally made.
Neither camp has reconciled the two versions publicly.
Canelo’s Own Explanation for the Loss
Canelo has been unusually candid about it.
Speaking to Ring Magazine in February, he said his body had not responded the way he wanted, that he struggled to recover his weight, and that his legs felt tired. He then added: “But he deserve all the credit.”
He has also admitted he could not solve Crawford’s style, saying the American had everything.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on 25 July, Canelo named the Crawford rematch as his biggest missed opportunity, alongside a Mayweather rematch that never materialised. Of Mayweather, he said it was “never close. No, he didn’t want it.”
What Canelo Does Next: 31 October in Riyadh
Canelo returns on 31 October 2026 to challenge WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The fight has moved twice. It was originally announced for 12 September to coincide with Mexican Independence Day. Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reported the postponement on 28 June, with no reason given at the time.
Canelo confirmed the new date to Ariel Helwani last week, and the WBC has since announced it officially.
He explained the delay himself: “I wasn’t ready to be in the training camp.” He cited family matters that needed attention first. Dan Rafael reported the postponement was not related to injury or to the elbow surgery Canelo underwent after the Crawford fight.
The Details
| Date | 31 October 2026 |
| Venue | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Title | WBC super middleweight |
| Billing | “Mexico vs. The World,” under Riyadh Season |
| Broadcast | DAZN |
| Canelo | 63-3-2, 39 KOs |
| Mbilli | 29-0-1, 24 KOs |
Mbilli, 31, is a Cameroon-born fighter based in Montreal, promoted by Eye of the Tiger Management. He was elevated from interim to full WBC champion in January after Crawford’s retirement left the 168lb titles scattered.
His last outing was a draw with Lester Martinez in a WBC interim title bout — on the Canelo–Crawford undercard. Martinez now holds that interim belt.
A detail worth noting: both men will have been inactive since September 2025. By fight night that is more than thirteen months for each.
Mbilli’s promoter, Camille Estephan, was pointed about the delay, saying “Canelo will have absolutely no excuse for not being fully prepared.”
The vacated 12 September slot is now expected to host a WBC welterweight title fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn in Las Vegas.
Timeline
| Date | Development |
| 13 Sept 2025 | Crawford beats Canelo by unanimous decision in Las Vegas |
| Autumn 2025 | Canelo undergoes elbow surgery |
| Dec 2025 | Crawford retires; 168lb titles scatter |
| Jan 2026 | Mbilli elevated from interim to full WBC champion |
| Feb 2026 | Canelo publicly calls for a rematch |
| May 2026 | Canelo vs Mbilli announced for 12 September |
| 28 June 2026 | Fight postponed to late October |
| 17–26 July 2026 | Crawford explains there was no rematch clause |
| 22 July 2026 | Canelo confirms 31 October date to Helwani |
| 31 Oct 2026 | Canelo vs Mbilli, Riyadh |
A Note on Crawford’s Final Record
Sources disagree. Most list Crawford at 41-0 with 31 knockouts — he entered the Canelo fight at 40-0 and did not box again before retiring.
At least one outlet has reported 42-0. Unless a further bout took place between September and December 2025, which no other source records, 41-0 appears correct.
If you are publishing a figure, 41-0 is the safer citation.
Expert Analysis
The commercial logic explains more than the sporting logic does.
Canelo vs Crawford performed strongly for a championship boxing event on Netflix, but it did not reach the crossover audience of Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson. And the first fight drew criticism for its pace — a rematch carried the risk of another tactical twelve rounds.
With Canelo still boxing’s biggest earner, there were commercially stronger options than revisiting a fight Crawford had already won convincingly.
For Crawford, the calculation is simpler. He left at 41-0, having beaten the sport’s biggest star while moving up two divisions, with a record no male boxer in the four-belt era can match. There is no version of a rematch that improves that.
For Canelo, October carries real risk. He is 36, has not fought in over a year, and Bob Arum has publicly suggested he belongs on a golf course. A defeat to Mbilli would leave him without a major title and without an obvious route back.
Key Takeaways
- Crawford beat Canelo by unanimous decision on 13 September 2025 in Las Vegas
- He became the first male fighter to win undisputed titles in three weight classes
- Crawford retired in December 2025, most sources listing him at 41-0
- There was no rematch clause; Crawford says Canelo’s team never approached him
- Crawford also denies Turki Alalshikh ever offered him the rematch
- Canelo has repeatedly said publicly that he wants it — the accounts conflict
- Canelo returns 31 October 2026 against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh
- Both fighters will have been inactive for over thirteen months
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Canelo vs Crawford?
Terence Crawford, by unanimous decision on 13 September 2025 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He moved up two weight classes to become undisputed super middleweight champion in Canelo’s first defeat at 168lb.
Will there be a Canelo vs Crawford rematch?
No. Crawford retired in December 2025 and has said no rematch clause existed and that Canelo’s team never approached him about a second fight. Canelo has publicly said he still wants it.
Why did Crawford retire after beating Canelo?
He had achieved undisputed status in three weight classes. A move to middleweight interested him, but only for an undisputed fight a plan that collapsed when Janibek Alimkhanuly failed a doping test.
When is Canelo’s next fight?
31 October 2026, against WBC super middleweight champion Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was postponed from 12 September after Canelo said family matters delayed his training camp.
What is Canelo’s record now?
63 wins, 3 defeats and 2 draws, with 39 knockouts, across 68 professional fights. His three losses came against Floyd Mayweather in 2013, Dmitry Bivol in 2022 and Terence Crawford in 2025.
Who is Christian Mbilli?
A 31-year-old Cameroon-born super middleweight based in Montreal, with a record of 29-0-1 and 24 knockouts. He was elevated from interim to full WBC champion in January after Crawford’s retirement.
Conclusion
The most anticipated rematch in boxing died quietly, and it took ten months for anyone to explain how.
Crawford’s account is straightforward: no clause, no phone call, no negotiation. Canelo’s public position has been the opposite throughout. Both cannot be the full story, and neither camp has closed the gap.
What is certain is the date. On 31 October in Riyadh, a 36-year-old who has not fought in thirteen months tries to win back a belt from an unbeaten champion who has been just as inactive.
