Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is marking 20 years since his professional boxing debut, two decades that have taken him from a teenage prodigy in Guadalajara to one of the biggest names in global sport. But the milestone comes at a challenging point in his career, following his recent defeat to American rival Terence Crawford.
Despite the setback, Alvarez insists he has no plans to slow down. Marking the 20-year milestone, he said he still feels the same hunger and drive that first took him from a small gym in Guadalajara to the top of the sport.Â
The Mexican superstar has hinted that more fights could be on the horizon and dismissed any retirement talk, saying he still has ‘the same fire’ inside him and that his passion for boxing ‘is stronger than ever.’Â
The 33-year-old, who turned professional at just 15 years old, has long been celebrated as a national hero – a four-weight world champion and one of boxing’s highest earners.Â
Over the years, he has filled stadiums from Las Vegas to Mexico City and helped redefine modern Mexican boxing with his precision counter-punching, body attacks, and relentless discipline.
Canelo captured his first world title at the age of 20, when he claimed the WBC light-middleweight belt, and went on to become the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.Â
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is marking 20 years since his professional debut, two decades that have taken him from a teenage prodigy in Guadalajara to one of the biggest names in global sport
The 33-year-old Mexican, who turned professional at just 15, has long been celebrated as a national hero – a four-weight world champion and one of boxing’s highest earners
Over the years, Canelo (pictured above) has filled stadiums from Las Vegas to Mexico City and helped redefine modern Mexican boxing
His long-time trainer, Eddy Reynoso – along with Reynoso’s father, Chepo – has been by his side throughout, forming one of boxing’s most enduring partnerships. A sesne of loyalty that is rare these days.
But while Alvarez remains one of the sport’s most recognisable figures, his dominance has been tested. His unanimous decision loss to Crawford earlier this year was seen by some as a passing of the torch moment.
Canelo feels differently.Â
Despite the setback, Alvarez insists his passion for the sport burns as brightly as ever. ‘Twenty years in, I still feel the same fire I had when I first stepped into the ring,’ he said.Â
‘Every victory and every challenge has made me who I am today. I’m deeply grateful to my family, fans, and to Mexico – you’ve been my strength and my inspiration since day one.’
Over two decades, Alvarez has not only become a national symbol of pride but also a global brand. Beyond the ring, he has launched ventures in fashion, real estate, film, and beverages, building a business empire that mirrors his meticulous approach to boxing.
He remains one of the sport’s biggest box-office draws, selling out major arenas including Madison Square Garden, the MGM Grand, AT&T Stadium, and Allegiant Stadium – where a record-breaking 70,000 fans attended his 2021 fight against Billy Joe Saunders. Last year, he brought a major fight home to Guadalajara, drawing huge crowds in a triumphant return to his roots.
It remains to be seen what will come next for the man hailed as the face of boxing. With younger fighters now circling and his legacy already secure, Alvarez must decide whether to chase redemption in the ring or shift his focus toward life beyond it.
Either way, two decades on from his debut, Canelo Alvarez remains one of boxing’s defining figures – a fighter whose career has embodied both the glory and the grind of the sport.
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Canelo Alvarez marks 20 years in professional boxing and hints at his future as he reflects on his career