Canelo Alvarez

About

Canelo Alvarez, also known as Saul Alvarez, is a Mexican professional boxer widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport today. Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in 1990, Canelo began boxing at the age of 13 and turned professional just five years later. Since then, he has dominated the ring, winning multiple world titles in several different weight classes and earning a large following of fans around the world.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Canelo Alvarez’s life and career, including his rise to fame, significant fights, controversies, training regimen, personal life, and legacy in the sport of boxing.

1. Early Life and Boxing Career

Childhood and Family Background

Santos Saul Alvarez Barragan, known as Canelo Alvarez, was born on July 18, 1990, in Juanacatlan, Jalisco, Mexico. The youngest of eight children, Alvarez was raised in a boxing family. His father, Santos Alvarez, boxed professionally in the 1970s, and his older brothers also had successful boxing careers.

Introduction to Boxing

Alvarez started boxing when he was just 13 years old. His older brother Rigoberto, who was already a professional boxer, taught him the basics of the sport. At first, Alvarez used boxing as a way to defend himself from bullies, but he quickly developed a love for the sport.

Early Amateur Boxing Career

Alvarez had a successful amateur boxing career, winning many regional and national tournaments in Mexico. He had over 40 amateur fights and only lost one. However, Alvarez turned professional at the young age of 15 and did not compete in the Olympics or other major international amateur competitions.

2. Rise to Fame and Establishment as a Boxing Superstar

Professional Debut and Early Career Successes

Alvarez made his professional debut in 2005, winning his first fight by knockout in the fourth round. He quickly gained attention for his impressive knockout power and striking looks. Alvarez went on to win his next 12 fights, including 10 by knockout, before suffering his first defeat against fellow Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito.

The Breakthrough Moment: Victory Over Matthew Hatton

In 2011, Alvarez had his breakthrough moment when he defeated British fighter Matthew Hatton to win the vacant WBC light middleweight title. Alvarez won the fight by unanimous decision and cemented his status as a rising star in the sport.

Establishment as a Boxing Superstar and Crossover Appeal

Alvarez’s popularity continued to rise, and he became one of the most well-known boxers in the world. He had a string of high-profile fights against some of the biggest names in the sport, including Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto, and Gennady Golovkin. Alvarez also began to cross over into mainstream culture, appearing in movies and on television.

3. Major Fights and Championship Titles

The First World Title: Canelo vs. Matthew Hatton

After defeating Hatton, Alvarez went on to win several other world titles in the following years. He won the WBA and WBC light middleweight titles in 2013 and successfully defended them multiple times. In 2018, he won the WBC and WBA middleweight titles, defeating Gennady Golovkin in a highly anticipated rematch.

Controversial Victory Over Erislandy Lara

One of Alvarez’s most controversial victories came in 2014 when he defeated Erislandy Lara by split decision. Many fans and analysts believed Lara had won the fight, but the judges awarded Alvarez the victory. The fight highlighted Alvarez’s defensive flaws and left some fans questioning his status as a true champion.

The Mega Fights: Canelo vs. Gennady Golovkin I and II

Alvarez’s two fights against Gennady Golovkin were some of the most highly anticipated and controversial fights in recent boxing history. The first fight, in 2017, ended in a controversial draw, with many fans and analysts believing that Golovkin had won the fight. The second fight, in 2018, ended in a narrow victory for Alvarez, with judges awarding him the decision by majority decision.

Canelo’s Latest Title Wins: Super Middleweight and Light Heavyweight

Alvarez has continued to win titles in different weight classes. In 2018, he won the WBA super middleweight title, defeating Rocky Fielding by TKO. In 2019, Alvarez moved up to light heavyweight and defeated Sergey Kovalev to win the WBO light heavyweight title.

4. Controversies and Setbacks

Failed Drug Tests and Suspension

Alvarez has had his share of controversies and setbacks in his career. In 2018, he tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol and was suspended for six months. Alvarez maintained that he had accidentally ingested the substance through contaminated meat.

The Rocky Fielding Fight and Brief Hiatus

After his victory over Kovalev, Alvarez took a brief hiatus from the sport, returning in 2019 to fight Rocky Fielding for the super middleweight title. Alvarez easily won the fight by TKO, but some fans criticized the matchup, viewing it as a weaker opponent for the champion.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Canelo’s Return to the Ring

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the sports world, including boxing. Alvarez took advantage of the downtime to renegotiate his contract with promoter Golden Boy Promotions and signed a record-breaking deal with streaming service DAZN. He returned to the ring in December 2020, defeating Callum Smith to win the WBA and WBC super middleweight titles.

5. Canelo’s Fighting Style and Training Regimen

Canelo Alvarez is a master counterpuncher with a focus on bodywork. He has an uncanny ability to slip punches and quickly respond with devastating counter shots to the body, often leading to a knockout. He is also known for his exceptional defense, which has been honed over years of training with his coach, Eddy Reynoso.

Reynoso’s training regimen emphasizes strategy and discipline. Canelo’s training sessions are highly structured, with a focus on specific areas of improvement based on his opponent’s style and tendencies. The goal is always to create a game plan that will give Canelo the best chance to win.

Canelo’s physical conditioning is also crucial to his success in the ring. He follows a rigorous training schedule that includes strength and conditioning, cardiovascular work, and sparring. His nutrition is carefully monitored as well, with a focus on high-protein, low-fat meals to maintain his lean physique.

6. Personal Life and Philanthropy

Canelo Alvarez is a private person, but he is known to be a devoted family man. He has an active social media presence where he shares glimpses into his personal life, including photos with his girlfriend and daughter.

In addition to his success in the ring, Canelo is also committed to giving back to his community. He has established the Canelo Alvarez Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged youth through education, sports, and cultural programs. The foundation has built schools, donated sports equipment, and provided scholarships to deserving students.

Canelo also has a passion for music and horses. He is known to play guitar and sing, and he owns several horses that he rides in his free time.

7. Legacy and Future in Boxing

Canelo Alvarez’s impressive record and skill have earned him a place among the best boxers in history. He has won titles in multiple weight classes and has faced some of the sport’s toughest opponents, including Gennady Golovkin, Miguel Cotto, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Looking to the future, Canelo has expressed interest in unifying the middleweight division and potentially moving up to super middleweight or light heavyweight. He has also spoken about his desire to become Mexico’s greatest boxer of all time.

Canelo’s impact on Mexican boxing and culture cannot be overstated. He has inspired countless young fighters and has become a symbol of pride for the Mexican people. His legacy in boxing is secure, and his future looks bright as he continues to dominate in the ring.In conclusion, Canelo Alvarez’s career as a professional boxer has been nothing short of remarkable. From his humble beginnings to his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars, Canelo’s journey has been filled with ups and downs, but his passion and dedication have never wavered. As he looks towards the future, fans around the world eagerly await what’s next for the Mexican superstar in and out of the ring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What weight classes has Canelo Alvarez fought in?

Canelo Alvarez has fought in several different weight classes throughout his career, including welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight.

What is Canelo Alvarez’s fighting style?

Canelo Alvarez is known for his signature fighting style, which includes counterpunching, bodywork, and a high level of precision and accuracy in his punches.

What are some of Canelo Alvarez’s notable fights?

Canelo Alvarez has had several notable fights throughout his career, including victories over Matthew Hatton, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, and Callum Smith, among others.”

Last Updated: 3rd April 2023