The countdown to Canelo Alvarez’s ring return around his traditional fight date of Cinco de Mayo has begun.
In a video posted on his verified social media channel, the Mexican star and undisputed super middleweight champion Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KO) announced that he will have a homecoming fight in his native land of Jalisco on May 6 against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
The show will mark the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Jalisco’s independence.
The Guadalajara, Jalisco-born Alvarez has not fought on Mexican soil ever since scoring a fifth-round TKO win against Kermit Cintrón in Nov. 2011 at the Monumental Plaza de Toros México in Mexico City.
“I am ready to return to my home to defend my titles in the place where I was born, and start my story with the people who have always supported me,” Alvarez said in a video he filmed with Enrique Alfaroc, the Governor of Jalisco.
“I will fight for Jalisco and celebrate with you the greatness of our land.”
Estadio Akron and Jalisco Stadium are two of the most viable venues in the region capable of hosting a sizable crowd and an event headlined by Alvarez.
The 32-year-old Alvarez has long been linked to face British boxer John Ryder in his next fight. Both sides have been in advanced negotiations with Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn in recent months.
Hearn has consistently maintained that the 34-year-old Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) is “very likely” the next opponent for Alvarez.
Alvarez underwent left wrist surgery late last year following his unanimous decision win against archrival Gennadiy Golovkin in a September trilogy bout.
In recent months, Alvarez has alluded he’s been seeking a tune-up type fight before refocusing on a rematch to avenge his May loss to light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.