Santos Saúl Alvarez Barragán, who is better known as Canelo Alvarez to his fans worldwide, was born on July 18, 1990, in San Augustin, Guadalajara, Mexico. At the age of five, he moved his family to Juanacatlan and started training and participating in boxing tournaments at the age of 13.
In 2004, Alvarez earned a silver medal while competing in the National Juvenile Championship in Sinaloa and followed it up with a gold medal in the 2005 Youth Olympics in Tuxtla Gutierrez. He amassed an amateur record of 44 victories, many of which came via knockout. He entered the professional circuit in 2005 and made his debut against Abraham Gonzalez at the Chololo Larios Arena in Tonala, Jalisco, at the age of 15. Canelo Alvarez won the inaugural bout of his career by knockout.
In 2008, Canelo Alvarez earned the welterweight title from the Latin American Federation of Professional Boxing Commission, recognized by the World Boxing Association (WBA), by securing a victory against his opponent, Carlos Adan Jerez. He also took part in the Scotiabank Forum in Mexico City, knocked out Tony “Mazatelco” Fitch, and became the Welterweight Champion of the North American Boxing Federation (NABF).
Canelo Alvarez knocked out Euri Gonzalez in the same year and won the Latin Welterweight title of the World Boxing Organization (WBO). In 2010, he debuted with Golden Boy Promotions and faced Jose Miguel Cotto on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley in Las Vegas. Alvarez secured an impressive victory via TKO in the ninth round.
In April 2013, Canelo Alvarez defeated Austin Trout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, and became a World Champion. Alvarez faced Floyd Mayweather in one of the biggest fights of 2013. He lost the bout via majority decision. Alvarez followed up his in-ring performances with several victories, defeating boxers like Alfredo Angulo, James Kirkland, Erislandy Lara, James Kirkland, and Liam Smith.
Canelo Alvarez First Weight Class
In his younger days, Canelo Alvarez started his career in the welterweight division.
He has fought in the welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, Super middleweight, and light heavyweight divisions. Alvarez won multiple national titles in the welterweight division and eventually moved up to middleweight.
What Weight class is Canelo best at?
The Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez believes that he feels at his best at the 168 (Super middleweight) weight class. Having competed in four different divisions, he made this admission in an interview with FightHype. Canelo Alvarez is the first and only boxer to become the undisputed champion in the super middleweight and light heavyweight weight classes.
*Last updated on April 25, 2024.
FAQs
A. Canelo Alvarez started training and participating in boxing tournaments as early as 13.
A. In his initial days, Canelo Alvarez started in the welterweight division.
A. Canelo Alvarez has competed in the welterweight, light middleweight, Super middleweight, and light heavyweight divisions.
A. Canelo Alvarez weighs 75 kg (165 lbs).
A. Canelo Alvarez is 5’8 inches tall.
