Canelo Alvarez has second opinion on fractured thumb, might fight in early 2017

Canelo Alvarez gathered a second opinion on his fractured right thumb this week, confirming an early diagnosis in Mexico that he won’t fight again this year but leaving open the possibility of a return in early 2017.

Alvarez (48-1-1, 34 knockouts) sustained the injury Sept. 17, when he delivered a second-round punch to England’s Liam Smith en route to a ninth-round knockout victory that made Alvarez, 26, the World Boxing Organization light-middleweight champion.

In a follow-up examination by Dr. Kenneth R. Sabbag on Wednesday, Alvarez had his cast removed and was told inflammation remains in ligaments, according to Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez.

Alvarez was fitted with a new cast that will be removed for another evaluation on Nov. 10, Gomez said. In the meantime, said Gomez, the doctor ordered Alvarez to rest the hand.

While there is heightened anticipation for Alvarez to stage a showdown with unbeaten, three-belt middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin next year, Alvarez had said before the injury that he’d like to fight twice more before meeting Golovkin in September 2017.

If Alvarez has no discomfort when the cast is removed Nov. 10, Gomez said, there will be a discussion about pursuing a fight in early 2017.

Gomez said he could foresee such a bout happening “if Canelo wants to stay sharp … and for him, it’s important to stay in fighting shape. If there’s any discomfort when that cast comes off, then there’s no chance” of Alvarez fighting in early 2017. “We’ll just wait until May.”