Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez reflects on 20 years of boxing dominance

Reno, Nevada – The history of Mexican boxing offers names that transcend generations. From Julio César Chávez, recognized as the ultimate in Mexican boxing, to legendary figures such as Juan Manuel Márquez, Ruben ‘Púas’ Olivares, Salvador Sánchez, Ricardo ‘Finito’ López and Carlos ‘Cañas’ Zárate.

The tradition of aztec domination continued largely by Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who, on October 29, will celebrate a 20 -year -old historic professional career which began when he was only 15 years old, when he made his professional debut against Abraham González. Two decades later, with an inheritance built on titles and major scenes, Álvarez stopped to reflect on his development of the red head adolescent who dreamed of being the best in the current king of Mexican boxing with 63 victories.

Canelo Álvarez, on the left; The CEO of the UFC, Dana White, Center; And Terence Crawford, on the right, speaks during a press conference at T-Mobile Arena on June 27.

(David Becker / Getty Images for Netflix)

“I did everything in boxing, imagine how satisfactory it is for me,” said Times en Español at his training camp in Reno, Nev.

The celebration has already been planned and, like everything else involving Álvarez, it will be deprived but “on a large scale”. The magnitude will probably depend on whether he appears victorious when he defends his four belts against the undefeated Crawford Terence (41-0, 31 KB) on Saturday (6 p.m., Netflix), at the alleging stadium in Las Vegas.

“I think I have done very good things in boxing and I am very proud of this child who started with the dream of being the best in the world,” said Jalisco’s 35 -year -old.

This kid, as his brother, Ricardo reminds us, was not different from any other teenager in Guadalajara, with the exception of an unusual obsession: succeeding in a brutal and demanding sport. His trip began in local gymnasiums, under the supervision of Chepo Reynoso and his son, Eddy, who saw an extraordinary potential. This is where Canelo álvarez heard the words that would forever mark his destiny.

The boxer Canelo Álvarez, center, poses alongside his coaches Chepo Reynoso, on the left, and Eddy Reynoso, on the right, to MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2018.

(Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

“With the talent you have, you will arrive where you want to go”, that’s what they have always told me, and that has stuck me, “said Canelo, remembering his debut with Chepo, his coach since he was 14 years old.

Two decades later, Canelo says that advice is always the message he would repeat himself if he could travel in time. Because these words not only fueled his hunger, they gave him a conviction.

“I would just tell this child what he already knows, that” you will happen wherever you want to go “,” said Canelo.

Two decades later, this kid not only kept his promise, but exceeded it. He has become champion in several divisions, a global icon and, above all, a man who continues to look to the future.

The story of Canelo Álvarez is not only that of a boxer, but of a dream realized by discipline, sacrifice and faith. And yet, as Ricardo often says, “he still has a long way to go.”

Canelo’s journey has not been improvised or meteoric, but rather a project shaped by patience and discipline. Eddy, who has also been coach of Canelo since adolescence, constantly remembers learning alongside Canelo.

“In 2000, I started to train boxers with my father – first the amateurs then professionals. We trained a group of children and adolescents, and it is from that Saúl,” said Eddy.

This connection, forged in the gymnasiums of Jalisco, was the start of one of the most successful partnerships in the history of boxing. Eddy was inspired by characters such as Julián Magdaleno and Rafael Mendoza, coaches who instilled in him to be someone big in sport.

Canelo Alvarez famous with his family after defeating John Ryder at the Akron stadium in 2023 in Zapopan, Mexico.

(Hector Vivas / Getty images)

“I always imagined being someone important in boxing,” said Eddy. “And with Saúl, we reached it.”

During his two decades career, Canelo increased in the weight class, the scene and demand. He did it by facing Miguel Cotto, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Gennady Golovkin, against whom he fought a memorable trilogy.

Although he underwent his first career defeat in 2013 against Mayweather, it was the fight that paved the way for his success not only as a champion, but also as an entrepreneur and businessman.

However, it is the second fight against Golovkin in September 2018 which occupies a special place in the heart of Canelo.

“It was very moving to me because of many things surrounding the fight,” said Canelo. “Confirm that I was better than him, everything that had been said. [It] It was a very special moment.

Eddy is appropriate that night was a highest point.

“I saw him very happy when he beat Golovkin in the second round. Also, when he beat Miguel Cotto, or even in his first four -round fights. Each victory had a meaning, but this victory over” GGG “was special.”

Little by little, Canelo learned from his mistakes and has opened his way to become the economic and sporting power that he is today. Along the way, he fell with Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar de la Hoya in 2020, with whom he became a superstar, and made a calculation error by switching to light heavy goods vehicles and losing for the second time in his career, this time at Dmitry Bivo in 2022.

The darkest moment in his career occurred in 2018 when he was suspended for six months by the Nevada Sports Commission to test positive for the prohibited substance Clenbuterol. According to the Canelo team, it was because of the contaminated meat that he ate during a visit to Mexico. Clenbuterol is sometimes used in animal animals to increase muscle mass.

Beyond the belts, the handbags to a million dollars and the fame, Canelo’s career was supported by his unshakable family, especially during difficult moments.

“It was a long career of 20 years,” said Ricardo, one of Canelo’s six older brothers. “We have always been united to support him. He has become the star of boxing, the face of boxing. We are very proud of him, and he is very proud of what he has accomplished and what he still has to achieve. He was born for that, I always told him, he was born for it. ”

The family celebrated all the victories and accompanied it through all obstacles. For them, the fight against Crawford is not only a sporting challenge, it is also a family meeting.

“We are going to celebrate with great happiness, with the family, more than anything else united, with friends and the team. All together, as always, “said Ricardo.

Canelo Alvarez hits Jaime Munguia during a fight for the average weight title on May 4, 2024, in Las Vegas.

(John Locher / Associated Press)

In the memory of the Álvarez family, there are moments that define their history, anecdotes which serve as symbols of all that was to come. Ricardo remembered one of them with a particular clarity: the night when they went to the cinema to see “Cinderella Man”, the 2005 film on James J. Braddock, the boxer who persevered during the Great Depression and fought for a world title.

Leaving the play, Ricardo asked his younger brother: “Can you imagine fighting on a scene like this one day?”

Canelo remembers having said to his brother: “I wanted to succeed like this boxer, but with a different end, fighting in the world championships on the greatest stages.”

With a career that took Canelo to Madison Square Garden, the MGM Grand and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Canelo recognizes that he achieved the goal.

“Now that we talked about it after all these years, he said to me:” And what do you think? I have already fought on the best steps. “And yes, he has reached everything,” said Ricardo.

Canelo Álvarez, on the left, with his brother, Ricardo.

(Handout / instagram)

The setting on Saturday will be monumental again: the alleging stadium in Las Vegas. The wait, there will be Crawford, who is considered by many as the best fighter book for book today.

For Eddy, this fight represents a confrontation of styles and power.

“A huge fight takes place between two of the largest powers in the world, Mexico and the United States. We will show that the Mexican school is the best,” said Eddy.

Ricardo also recognizes the extent of the challenge: “[Canelo] Has big fights, with Cotto, Golovkin, Mayweather. But you can feel what this fight means in the atmosphere. It’s the biggest fight today, and I’m sure it will surprise people. “”

Canelo, for his part, takes him in stride.

“It means a lot for me to continue fighting in big fights, in a stadium as important as it is German,” he said. “I am happy and excited to be there.”

We still don’t know how Canelo will celebrate exactly on October 29 and his two decades of boxing.

Eddy plans to join the celebration with a resounding victory.

“We are going to win this fight by Ko,” promises Eddy, “then we are going to organize a big party in Mexico.”

This The article appeared for the first time in Spanish Via Times in Español.