Canelo Alvarez throws first punches since surgery after Terence Crawford defeat as he eyes comeback

Canelo Alvarez has returned to light training for the first time since having surgery in the aftermath of his loss to Terence Crawford.

The Mexican superstar was dethroned as undisputed super-middleweight champion by Crawford, who stepped up to 168lbs from 154lbs and outpointed him in their September showdown.

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It was a brutal blow for the former pound-for-pound king, who now faces a significant rebuild having fallen out of the world title picture.

He also confirmed he would require elbow surgery and underwent the procedure in the immediate aftermath of the clash.

After a period of recovery, Alvarez is clearly fit and raring to go if his latest social media activity is anything to go by.

He posted a video of him shadow boxing and going through the motions in a picturesque setting.

It was clear it was the first steps towards a return to training in a light workout, his first punches since losing to Crawford.

The boxing community reacted strongly in the comments, dropping a number of potential opponents for the modern era icon to face.

When is Canelo expected to fight again and who could he face?

Alvarez is not expected to return in May as has been traditional, with his team suggesting he will now make a comeback in September.

He was originally motivated to try and secure redemption, eyeing an immediate rematch with Crawford.

But the American has now elected to retire from boxing, vacating the belts which have since fragmented.

The 35-year-old was recently offered an immediate route back to a world title, an IBF mandatory clash with Osley Iglesias, which he decided to turn down.

It is clear that any future clash will need to be financially rewarding for him to make a return.

Previously, Alvarez suggested he wants to return to 175lbs to face Dmitry Bivol, but after his latest defeat that now seems unlikely.

He could even return to a previously signed clash with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who is keen to move down in weight after being knocked out by Anthony Joshua.

And Alvarez’s advisor Richard Schaefer believes it could well materialise again in the future.

He said: “Maybe at one point, why not? I could definitely see that happening.

“There were some conversations going on and who knows maybe that fight is going to happen one day,” Schaefer revealed.

“But right now I think there’s still some other real fights out there for Canelo.”