Canelo Alvarez announces he will return to the ring in September to fight Jermell Charlo

Undisputed world super-middleweight champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has announced he will return to the ring against Jermell Charlo in September.

The bout between the Mexican superstar and the super-welterweight champion from America is set to take place in Las Vegas on September 30, the two fighters posted on social media.

Alvarez successfully defended his world titles against Britain’s John Ryder on May 6 this year.

The 32-year-old won by unanimous decision in front of more than 50,000 people in Guadalajara, Mexico, improving his overall record to 59-2-2.

Charlo, 33, is currently the undisputed super-welterweight champion, holding the WBO, IBF, WBA and WBC belts having won 35 of his 37 fights with just one loss back in 2018.

Next up for Canelo will be Jermell Charlo (right), in Las Vegas on September 30

Charlo (left) poses courtside with Stanley Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs in January

Alvarez had previously been linked with a clash against Jermell’s twin brother Jermall, who fights at middleweight level.

It was revealed earlier this week that Jermall wouldn’t be available, with ESPN reporting that he needs more time to get in shape having not fought since June 2021.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said last month that Jermall’s absence from the ring is due to mental health issues. 

Canelo was initially slated to face Jermell’s brother Jermall (right) but he is not ready to go

The Mexican superstar arrives at a fashion show in Milan alongside his wife Fernanda Gomez

Alvarez then pivoted to his twin brother Jermell, who sits just outside ESPN’s pound-for-pound list but has never competed above 154 pounds.

Alvarez signed a three-fight deal with PBC earlier this month, with the second and third fights of the contract expected to take place on Cinco De Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence Day weekend in 2024.

In his career, Canelo has had 63 professional fights and won 59 of them, losing just two – first against Floyd Mayweather in 2013 and then against Dmitry Bivol in 2022.