Canelo Alvarez: The Rise of Boxing's Pound-for-Pound King
Canelo Alvarez: The Rise of Boxing's Pound-for-Pound ...
By Edcel Panganiban August 06, 2024 05:03
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez was a transcendent figure in boxing, born on July 18, 1990, in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is the stuff of legend: being raised in a tough neighborhood where he would ultimately be on top of the boxing world with his many accomplishments, unorthodox fighting style, and unfathomable resolve. In this feature, we look at several angles of the life and career of Canelo, as he has gone from a prospect to one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.
Early Life and Amateur Boxing Career
Canelo Alvarez, real name Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, was born into a boxing family with six other siblings growing up in Guadalajara. Canelo grew up in humble surroundings and developed a strong work ethic and toughness. He started his professional boxing at age 13, influenced by his elder brothers, who were also into boxing. His amateur career was solid, with 44 wins, just two defeats, and a dozen knockouts to his credit. This relatively early success ultimately set the stage for his professional career and proved to be a precursor that he was indeed championship-level material.
Canelo turned pro at age 15 on October 29, after beating Abraham Gonzalez by KO. He soon won a series of brief victories in the early portion of his career; however, he gained recognition within Mexico and throughout some parts of the United States. That honor was bestowed on Canelo after he beat Matthew Hatton for the WBC junior middleweight crown in 2011. This win set off his rise in the boxing world, and he had several successful defenses before notable victories over Ryan Rhodes and Alfonso Gomez.
Key Fights, Wins, and Titles
Canelo's legacy is dotted with important fights throughout his career. His 2013 talk with Austin Trout demonstrated that he was a tough guy. Canelo ultimately won by unanimous decision, displaying his talent and attitude. However, his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 14, 2013, would serve as the turning point of his career. Even though Canelo lost a majority decision to Mayweather, the war was the highest-grossing boxing event ever. They met in September 2013 and geared Alvarez with incomparable experience against one of the best fighters ever.
Canelo bounced back from the Mayweather loss with a string of notable wins. His championship dominance in the sport was cemented when he defeated Miguel Cotto for the lineal middleweight title in 2015. Moving among weight classes would soon become one of Canelo's trademarks, winning titles at jr. middleweight, now super welter or light middle, then the 160-pound limit. A win over Sergey Kovalev in 2019 to capture the WBO light heavyweight title made Canelo a four-division world champion, cementing his status alongside other boxing greats.
Style, Technique, and Development
His approach to fighting falls somewhere between traditional Mexican boxing and something mastered through a modern lens. Canelo is a fighter renowned for his power, thanks to one-punch knockout, speed, and skill. His orthodox positioning with both hands allows him to truly ruin opponents during combinations while protecting himself steadfastly. Canelo has developed his style as the years have gone by, adding an adeptness with countering and head movement that has only sometimes been there to make him unpredictable.
His ability to switch during fights has been key to his success. In his rematch with Gennadiy Golovkin, for example, Canelo exhibited some defensive savvy while winning a majority decision. This progression is a testament not only to the time he spends on the mat but also to his commitment to absorbing and assimilating what works best for him as a fighter.
Becoming a PPV Star
The Canelo legend is one of hard work and charm. He was an overnight PPV sensation, his events drawing unheard-of numbers and huge paychecks for the sport. His matchups are generally paired with some exquisite promotion; he has used the strength of his popularity to broker big-money contracts, including a record-setting agreement with DAZN that only enhanced his value as one of the boxing's above-the-line attractions.
Besides his in-ring success, Canelo is now a cultural figure, especially among the Hispanic community. That success led to a surge of young boxers and fans, earning him most of the credit for bringing boxing into the mainstream in Mexico and the United States.
Legacy & Impact On Boxing
Canelo Alvarez has long ago earned his place in the annals of boxing history. The former lightweight champion's readiness to challenge himself against top contenders and accept dangerous fights has endeared him to fellow fighters and fans. With multiple Fighter of the Year accolades and being named pound-for-pound best by numerous boxing bodies, Canelo adds to his legacy.
His ability to change and adapt, stay ahead of the curve, and connect with fans are all factors that have made him a winner in the ring as well as outside. Regardless, Canelo's legacy will live on for generations of fighters and fans to be inspired by as he continues his run in the upper echelons of the sport.
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