50 Facts About Canelo Álvarez

Early Life and Background

Canelo Álvarez's journey from a small town in Mexico to becoming a global boxing icon is nothing short of inspiring. Let's explore his early life and background.

1. Full Name and Date of Birth: Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán was born on July 18, 1990.
2. Place of Birth: He was born near Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
3. Family Background: His parents hail from Los Reyes, Michoacán. The family moved to Juanacatlán, Jalisco, when Canelo was five.
4. Family Size: Canelo is the youngest of eight children, with seven brothers, all of whom are professional boxers.
5. Nickname Origin: "Canelo," meaning "cinnamon" in Spanish, refers to his red hair. In Mexico, red hair is often linked to Irish soldiers who fought for Mexico in the Saint Patrick's Battalion during the Mexican–American War.
6. Red Hair Inheritance: His mother, Ana Maria, also has red hair. Canelo once mentioned he might have inherited this trait from an Irish grandfather.
7. Early Life: Growing up on a farm, Canelo learned horseback riding, a hobby he still enjoys. He faced bullying due to his red hair, earning the nickname "Jícama con Chile," a popular Mexican snack.

Amateur Beginnings

Canelo's amateur career laid the foundation for his professional success. Here are some key moments from his early boxing days.

8. Amateur Career: He began boxing at 13, inspired by his older brothers. He won a silver medal at the Junior Mexican National Championships in 2004 and became the Junior Mexican National Boxing Champion in 2005 at 15.
9. Amateur Record: His amateur record was 44–2 with 12 knockouts, showcasing his early talent and dedication.
10. Professional Debut: Canelo turned professional at 15 after winning the Junior Nationals. His trainers, Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, couldn't find him suitable amateur matches, prompting his early professional debut.

Professional Career Highlights

Canelo's professional career is filled with remarkable achievements and milestones. Let's dive into some of his most significant moments.

11. Professional Career Highlights: He has won world championships in four weight classes: light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight. He is the first and only boxer to become undisputed champion at super middleweight, holding this title until July 2024.
12. Career Record: As of his latest update, Canelo's professional record stands at 58 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 39 wins by knockout.
13. Promoter: Canelo is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and owns Canelo Promotions, established in 2010 with his trainers, Chepo and Eddy Reynoso.
14. Business Ventures: Canelo Promotions represented 40 boxers throughout Mexico as of 2013, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.
15. Philanthropic Efforts: Outside the ring, Canelo is known for his charitable contributions, particularly towards education and sports for underprivileged children in Mexico.

Personal Life and Interests

Canelo's life outside the ring is just as fascinating. Let's explore his personal life and interests.

16. Personal Life: Canelo is Catholic and was engaged to Marisol González, Miss Mexico Universe 2003, before marrying Fernanda Gómez in 2021. He has three daughters and one son with different women.
17. Car Collection: Canelo is an avid car collector, owning a Ferrari LaFerrari, Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, Shelby Mustang, Mercedes-AMG G 63 6×6, Rolls Royce Ghost, and Tesla Model X. He also has several motorcycles, including Harleys and Ducatis.
18. Golf Enthusiast: He enjoys playing golf and plans to retire from boxing by age 37 to focus on his business and play golf daily.

Boxing Style and Influence

Canelo's boxing style and influence on the sport are noteworthy. Let's delve into what makes him a formidable opponent.

19. Boxing Style: Known as an excellent counterpuncher, Canelo exploits openings in his opponents' guards while avoiding punches with head and body movement. He is also a formidable body puncher.
20. Career Milestones: He won his first title in 2007 against Ricardo Cano and the W.B.A. Fedecentro welterweight title in 2008 by defeating Gabriel Martinez.
21. Unified Titles: Canelo unified his W.B.C. and W.B.A. titles in the light middleweight division and later won the W.B.C. middleweight title, unifying it with the W.B.A. title.
22. Loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr.: His most significant loss came against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2013. Despite this setback, he continued to win championships and solidify his position as one of the best boxers in the world.
23. Fight Against Gennady Golovkin: Canelo's fight against Gennady Golovkin in 2017 was one of the highest-grossing pay-per-view events in boxing history, sparking intense media attention and fan interest.

Recent and Upcoming Fights

Canelo continues to defend his titles and take on new challenges. Here are some of his recent and upcoming fights.

24. Current Title Defenses: As of September 2024, Canelo is scheduled to defend his W.B.A., W.B.C., and W.B.O. super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
25. Recent Fight Against Jaime Munguia: On May 4, 2024, Canelo defended his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia. Despite a bright start from Munguia, Canelo managed to halt his momentum by scoring a knockdown in the fourth round and won by unanimous decision.
26. Career Influence: Canelo's influence extends beyond his achievements. He has played a significant role in popularizing boxing among younger generations, particularly in Mexico and the United States.
27. Cultural Icon: Canelo has transcended the sport, becoming a cultural icon. His success has inspired countless individuals to pursue their dreams, demonstrating that with hard work, greatness is attainable.
28. Challenges Overcome: Canelo's journey to the top has not been without challenges. He has faced formidable opponents and navigated various hurdles, both inside and outside the ring.
29. Controversies: Canelo has faced criticisms and controversies, including issues related to his fighting weight and performance-enhancing drug allegations. However, he has always risen above these challenges, proving his resilience and commitment to the sport.

Business Ventures and Media Appearances

Canelo's influence extends beyond boxing. Let's look at his business ventures and media appearances.

30. Business Ventures in Boxing Promotion: Canelo's company, Canelo Promotions, was established in 2010. As of 2013, the company represented 40 boxers throughout Mexico.
31. Cameo Appearance in Creed III: Canelo made a cameo appearance in the movie "Creed III" in 2023, further solidifying his status as a cultural icon.
32. Features on Undisputed Video Game: Canelo features on the cover of the boxing video game "Undisputed," highlighting his status as one of the most prominent figures in modern boxing.

Physical Attributes and Achievements

Canelo's physical attributes and achievements contribute to his success in the ring. Let's explore these aspects.

33. Height and Reach: Canelo stands at 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) with a reach of 70+1/2 in. These physical attributes contribute to his effective fighting style.
34. Weight Classes: He has competed in multiple weight classes, including light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, and light heavyweight, showcasing his adaptability and skill.
35. Pay-Per-View Record: Canelo's fight against Gennady Golovkin in 2018 was one of the highest-grossing pay-per-view events in boxing history, generating over 1.2 million buys and earning around $80 million.

Philanthropy and Cultural Impact

Canelo's contributions to society and his cultural impact are significant. Let's delve into his philanthropic efforts and influence.

36. Philanthropic Contributions: Outside the ring, Canelo is known for his charitable contributions, supporting education and sports programs for underprivileged children in Mexico.
37. Influence on Boxing: Canelo has played a significant role in popularizing boxing among younger generations. His fighting style serves as a model for aspiring boxers.
38. Cultural Impact: Canelo's success has transcended the sport, making him a cultural icon. His influence extends beyond boxing, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their dreams.
39. Resilience and Determination: Canelo embodies the spirit of determination and resilience. Throughout his career, he has faced formidable opponents and navigated various challenges, always rising above them.
40. Career Highlights: Canelo's career is filled with remarkable milestones. He has won multiple world championships in four different weight classes and has been ranked as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world by BoxRec.

Financial Success and Future Plans

Canelo's financial success and future plans are noteworthy. Let's explore his earnings and what lies ahead.

41. Highest-Paid Athlete: Canelo is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world. He made Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes in 2019, 2022, and 2023, reflecting his significant earnings from his boxing career and endorsement deals.
42. Personal Values: Known for his personal values, including his Catholic faith and commitment to family, Canelo has been married to Fernanda Gómez since 2021 and has four children with different mothers.
43. Hobbies: Outside boxing, Canelo enjoys horseback riding, which he learned growing up on his family's farm. He also enjoys playing golf and collecting cars.
44. Business Interests: Canelo has business interests beyond boxing promotion. He is an avid car collector and owns several luxury vehicles.
45. Philanthropic Efforts in Education: Canelo's philanthropic efforts extend to education, supporting programs aimed at providing education and sports opportunities for underprivileged children in Mexico.
46. Impact on Mexican Culture: Canelo has had a significant impact on Mexican culture. He is celebrated as a national hero and has inspired countless young Mexicans to pursue their dreams in sports and beyond.
47. Career Challenges: Canelo has faced significant challenges throughout his career. He has navigated controversies related to his fighting weight and performance-enhancing drug allegations, always rising above them.
48. Recent Fight Against Edgar Berlanga: As of September 2024, Canelo is scheduled to defend his W.B.A., W.B.C., and W.B.O. super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
49. Career Legacy: Canelo's career legacy extends beyond his achievements in the ring. He has inspired a generation of boxers and has played a significant role in popularizing the sport among younger generations.
50. Future Plans: Canelo has announced plans to return to the light heavyweight division to fight W.B.A. champion Dmitry Bivol, reflecting his continued ambition and desire to compete at the highest level in boxing.

Canelo's Legacy in Boxing

Canelo Álvarez has carved out an incredible legacy in the world of boxing. From his humble beginnings in Guadalajara to becoming a multi-division world champion, his journey is nothing short of inspiring. With a professional record boasting 58 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, Canelo's skill and determination are undeniable. Beyond the ring, his philanthropic efforts and business ventures show a commitment to giving back and promoting the sport he loves. His influence extends beyond boxing, making him a cultural icon and a role model for many. As he continues to defend his titles and take on new challenges, Canelo's impact on the sport and his community will be felt for years to come. His story is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the pursuit of greatness.