Saul Alvarez

Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez (born Saúl Álvarez Barragán on July 18, 1990) is a Mexican professional boxer from Guadalajara, Jalisco. Raised in Juanacatlán and the youngest of eight children, he grew up working on the family’s farm and adopted the nickname “Canelo” (Spanish for “cinnamon”) because of his red hair.

Álvarez enjoyed a brief but successful amateur career—winning the 2005 Junior Mexican National Championship and compiling an amateur record commonly reported as 44–2—before turning professional at age 15 when his trainers could not find suitable junior opponents. He made his pro debut in late 2005, scoring a fourth-round technical knockout of Abraham González.

Over the following two decades Álvarez rose through multiple weight divisions to become one of boxing’s most decorated fighters, capturing world titles in four weight classes and unifying major belts at super-middleweight to achieve undisputed status. Known for his counterpunching, ring IQ and power, his career highlights include high-profile victories that established him as a long-standing figure at the top of the sport.