Canelo Alvarez will be back in the ring later this year.
Canelo lost for the third time as a professional in September, outpointed by Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The Mexican was relieved of his undisputed super middleweight titles by Crawford, who has since retired.
Saudi Arabian boxing chief, who signed Alvarez to a four-fight deal, announced on Thursday that the 35-year-old will fight in Saudi Arabia on September 12 in a world title clash.
“12th September, big, big, big fight,” Alalshikh said in a video posted on X.
“This will be the first card for Canelo Promotions.
“It will be named Mexico vs the world.
“All the fighters from team Canelo against the world.
“And the champion [Canelo] in the main event in [a] world title [fight] and it will be a surprise in Saudi Arabia.”
Alvarez will fight in Saudi Arabia for the second time, having beaten William Scull in Riyadh in May to win the undisputed championship.
Prior to his retirement, Crawford was stripped of his WBC belt before relinquishing the remaining WBO, WBA and IBF crowns.
The WBA elevated Jose Resendiz from interim champion to full titlist, although the remaining three belts are vacant.
Alvarez was ordered to face undefeated Cuban, Osleys Iglesias for the IBF title, but passed on the opportunity.
The four-weight world champion is the number one ranked contender in the WBO, WBC and WBA.
An opponent was not confirmed by Alalshikh, although the Guadalajara native will head in as a challenger in a world title bout for the first time since 2022 when he was beaten by Dmitry Bivol in a bid for the WBA light heavyweight world title.
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Alvarez’s trainer and manager, Eddy Reynoso previously targeted a September date after his charge required more time to recover following elbow surgery, which he underwent after defeat to Crawford.
Alvarez’s decision to fight in September marks the first time in eight years he won’t be fighting in May on Cinco De Mayo – the traditional Mexican holiday – with the date expected to be taken by the cruiserweight clash between David Benavidez and Zurdo Ramirez on May 2.
