Career Timeline of Canelo Álvarez: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Canelo Álvarez made an impact.

Santos Saúl "Canelo" Álvarez Barragán is a highly accomplished Mexican professional boxer. He has achieved world championships across four weight classes, ranging from light middleweight to light heavyweight, and unified titles in three. Notably, in 2021, he made history as the first undisputed super middleweight champion. He later became a two-time undisputed super middleweight champion in 2025. Álvarez also held the Ring magazine super middleweight title from 2020 to 2025 solidifying his position as a dominant force in boxing.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1978: Attendance Record

In 1978, the Leon Spinks vs. Muhammad Ali II boxing match set an attendance record for indoor boxing in the US, a record which was later surpassed.

2004: Silver Medal at Junior Mexican National Championships

In 2004, Álvarez won the silver medal at the Junior Mexican National Championships, held in Sinaloa.

2005: Junior Mexican National Boxing Champion

In 2005, Álvarez became the Junior Mexican National Boxing Champion in Tuxtla Gutiérrez at the age of 15.

January 2006: Win over Miguel Vázquez

On 20 January 2006, Álvarez won against future IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vázquez in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco.

June 2008: Rematch Victory and Family Fight Night

On 28 June 2008, Álvarez defeated Vázquez again in a rematch, and all six of his brothers fought on the same night.

March 2010: KO Victory Over Brian Camechis

On 6 March 2010, Álvarez achieved a crushing third-round KO over Brian Camechis in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas.

2010: Canelo Promotions Established

In 2010, Canelo Álvarez's company, Canelo Promotions, was established.

March 2011: WBC Light Middleweight Belt Win

On 5 March 2011, Álvarez defeated European welterweight champion Matthew Hatton via unanimous decision for the vacant WBC light middleweight belt.

June 2011: WBC Title Defense Against Ryan Rhodes

On 18 June 2011, Álvarez successfully defended his newly awarded WBC title against Ryan Rhodes via TKO in the twelfth round in Guadalajara, Jalisco.

September 2011: WBC Title Defense Against Alfonso Gómez

On 17 September 2011, Álvarez successfully defended his WBC title against Alfonso Gómez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, winning via TKO in the sixth round.

2011: WBC Light Middleweight Title

In 2011, at the age of 20, Álvarez became the youngest boxer to claim the World Boxing Council (WBC) light middleweight title.

February 2012: Mosley Announced as Next Opponent

On 11 February 2012, Shane Mosley was announced as Álvarez's next opponent for his WBC light middleweight title.

March 2012: Apparel Agreement with Under Armour

In March 2012, Álvarez became the first boxer to sign a multi-year apparel agreement with Under Armour.

May 2012: Mayweather Wins Light Middleweight Title

In May 2012, Floyd Mayweather Jr. won the light middleweight title by outpointing Miguel Cotto.

September 2012: Possible Opponents

In September 2012, Álvarez was considering possible opponents, including James Kirkland, Austin Trout, Delvin Rodriguez and Victor Ortiz, after Paul William's accident.

April 2013: Fight Against Austin Trout

On 20 April 2013, Álvarez fought against Austin Trout at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

September 2013: Fight Against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

On 14 September 2013, Álvarez fought against Floyd Mayweather Jr. for Álvarez's WBC and Ring light middleweight titles and Mayweather's WBA (Super) light middleweight title, contested at a catchweight of 69 kg (152 lb).

2013: Canelo Promotions Represents Boxers

As of 2013, Canelo Promotions represented 40 boxers throughout Mexico.

2013: WBA and Ring Titles Win and Loss

In 2013, Álvarez beat Austin Trout to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) (Unified version) and Ring titles, but later that year, he lost his WBC and Ring light middleweight titles to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

2013: Álvarez's First Professional Loss Since 2013

In 2013, Álvarez suffered his first professional loss since then, ending a 16-fight unbeaten streak after losing to Dmitry Bivol.

January 2014: Fight Announced Against Alfredo Angulo

On 9 January 2014, a fight between Álvarez and Alfredo Angulo was confirmed to take place on 8 March 2014.

February 2014: Equipment Contract with Everlast

In February 2014, Canelo Álvarez entered an exclusive gloves-and-equipment contract with Everlast.

March 2014: Victory Over Angulo

On 8 March 2014, Álvarez defeated Alfredo Angulo via tenth-round stoppage at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight took place at a catchweight of 70 kg (155 lb).

July 2014: Fight Against Erislandy Lara

On 12 July 2014, Álvarez fought Erislandy Lara at the MGM Grand in a non-title match at a 70 kg (155 lb) catchweight, winning via split decision in a controversial outcome.

January 2015: Álvarez agrees to fight James Kirkland

In January 2015, Oscar De La Hoya announced that Canelo Álvarez and James Kirkland had agreed to a non-title light middleweight bout, although the exact date depended on the Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight schedule.

May 2015: Álvarez defeats Kirkland via third-round KO

On May 9, 2015, Canelo Álvarez defeated James Kirkland via a third-round knockout at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. Álvarez knocked Kirkland down in the first and third rounds, marking the first fight of Álvarez's HBO contract and drawing high viewership for HBO in 2015. Kirkland was hospitalized for a CT scan after the bout.

November 2015: Álvarez defeats Cotto to win WBC and Ring middleweight titles

On November 21, 2015, Canelo Álvarez defeated Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, winning the WBC and Ring middleweight titles. The fight took place at a catchweight of 155 lb at Cotto's request, with Álvarez being awarded the WBC Diamond middleweight title two months later.

February 2016: Tecate "Born Bold" Campaign

In February 2016, Tecate selected Álvarez to front its "Born Bold" campaign, marking the brewer's first endorsement of an individual athlete.

May 2016: Álvarez vacates WBC title, calls out Golovkin

In May 2016, after defeating Amir Khan, Canelo Álvarez invited Gennady Golovkin into the ring to promote a future fight. Subsequently, on May 18, 2016, Álvarez vacated the WBC title, which was then awarded to Golovkin.

May 2016: Álvarez knocks out Khan to retain titles

On May 7, 2016, Canelo Álvarez fought Amir Khan at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with Álvarez winning by a knockout in the sixth round to retain his WBC and Ring middleweight titles. The fight generated a live gate of $7,417,350 from 13,072 tickets sold and drew close to 600,000 PPV buys.

September 2016: Álvarez to fight Liam Smith for WBO title

On September 17, 2016, Canelo Álvarez was set to fight Liam Smith for the WBO light middleweight title at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The fight was announced on June 24 and would be broadcast on HBO PPV. Álvarez expressed excitement about fighting Smith, a fighter with knockout power.

December 2016: Negotiations begin for Álvarez vs. Chávez Jr. and potential Golovkin fight

In December 2016, after Julio César Chávez Jr.'s comeback win, negotiations began for a potential HBO PPV fight against Álvarez in 2017, with a catchweight of 164 pounds. De La Hoya also mentioned that a fight with Golovkin would still be likely for September 2017.

2016: WBC, Ring Middleweight Titles and WBO Title

In 2016, Álvarez defeated Miguel Cotto to win the WBC and Ring middleweight titles and beat Liam Smith to win the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title.

January 2017: Álvarez and team give Chávez Jr. a week to accept terms

In January 2017, after the WBO named Álvarez the mandatory challenger to the middleweight title, Álvarez's team gave Julio César Chávez Jr. one week to accept their fight terms, including a $7 million purse. Chávez Jr. later claimed to have agreed to all demands, including a 164.5 lbs weight limit and a $6 million base purse.

May 2017: Álvarez confirms fight with Chávez Jr. and plans to fight at middleweight

In May 2017, Canelo Álvarez officially confirmed the fight against Julio César Chávez Jr. to take place on May 6, 2017. He also announced plans to vacate his WBO light middleweight title and fight at middleweight following the Chávez Jr. fight.

July 2017: Tickets sold out for Álvarez vs. Golovkin

On July 7, 2017, Golden Boy and K2 Promotions announced that tickets for the Álvarez vs. Golovkin fight had sold out. Leading up to this, it was announced that the fight would take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and that Álvarez would fight for the IBF title, adhering to the IBF's second-day weigh-in requirements.

September 2017: Álvarez announces fight against Golovkin

Following his win against Chávez Jr., Álvarez announced that he would fight Gennady Golovkin on September 16, 2017, at a location to be determined. Golovkin joined Álvarez in the ring to promote the upcoming bout.

September 2017: Potential Golovkin fight mentioned

In December 2016, De La Hoya mentioned that a fight with Golovkin would still be likely for September 2017.

September 2017: Hennessy Endorsement

In September 2017, LVMH-owned cognac brand Hennessy added Canelo Álvarez to its global "Never Stop. Never Settle." platform.

December 2017: Golovkin Open to Fighting in December

Immediately after the controversial ending, talks began for a rematch between Álvarez and Golovkin. Golovkin was open to fighting in December 2017.

2017: Golovkin and Álvarez Disagree on Fight Outcome

In 2017, after the fight, Golovkin claimed that it was a big drama show and that the scoring was not his fault. Álvarez felt as though he won the fight. Álvarez ruled out another fight in 2017, claiming he would return on Cinco de Mayo weekend in May 2018. Golovkin's promoter stated that they would like an immediate rematch, but Golovkin reiterated his desire to also fight in December.

2017: Fight Against Gennady Golovkin

In 2017, Álvarez fought unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, resulting in a split draw.

2017: Álvarez's plans for 2017

In December, Eric Gomez from Golden Boy Promotions indicated that Álvarez had no immediate plans to vacate the WBO title and might defend it in the first quarter of 2017 at 154 pounds. Plans were still in place for Álvarez to fight Golovkin later in 2017.

January 2018: Álvarez-Golovkin Rematch Announced

On January 29, 2018, HBO announced the rematch between Álvarez and Golovkin would take place in May on Cinco de Mayo weekend.

May 2018: Álvarez Plans Return

After his fight, Álvarez ruled out another fight in 2017 and claimed he would return on Cinco de Mayo weekend in May 2018.

May 2018: Álvarez vs. Golovkin Rematch

Talks began for a rematch between Álvarez and Golovkin immediately after their controversial ending. Álvarez stated he would next fight in May 2018. On January 29, 2018, HBO announced the rematch would take place in May on Cinco de Mayo weekend. On February 22, the T-Mobile Arena was again selected as the fight's venue.

August 2018: Álvarez's Suspension Ends

At the hearing, Álvarez was given a six-month suspension, backdated to his first drug test fail on 17 February, meaning the ban would end on August 17, 2018. Álvarez would return to the ring on Mexican Independence Day weekend.

August 2018: Álvarez to Apply for Boxing License

On August 18, 2018, Álvarez would apply for his boxing license. Hours later, De La Hoya confirmed via his Twitter account that terms had been agreed and the fight would indeed take place on September 15 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

October 2018: Álvarez to Fight Fielding and Signs with DAZN

In October 2018, Álvarez announced that he would move up to the super middleweight division for the first time in his career to fight Rocky Fielding on December 15, 2018, for the WBA super middleweight title. On October 17, 2018, DAZN announced that it had signed a five-year, $365 million deal with Álvarez.

December 2018: Roger Dubuis Brand Ambassador

In December 2018, Swiss watchmaker Roger Dubuis appointed Canelo Álvarez as a brand ambassador and later issued a limited-edition Excalibur "Canelo" timepiece.

December 2018: Álvarez to Fight Fielding

2018: Victory over Golovkin

In 2018, Álvarez beat Gennady Golovkin to become the WBA (Super version), WBC, and Ring middleweight champion.

January 2019: Álvarez to Fight Jacobs

In January 2019, Álvarez announced he would return to the middleweight division to face Daniel Jacobs on May 4, 2019.

February 2019: Yıldırım's Technical Split Decision Loss

Avni Yıldırım had not been in the ring since he lost a technical split decision to Anthony Dirrell two years prior in February 2019.

May 2019: Álvarez vs. Jacobs

In January 2019, Álvarez announced he would return to the middleweight division to face Daniel Jacobs on May 4, 2019.

July 2019: Álvarez Negotiating Fight with Kovalev

On July 25, 2019, Sergey Kovalev was again negotiating a deal to fight Álvarez for October 2019, in a fight that would see Álvarez make his light heavyweight debut.

October 2019: Álvarez to Fight Kovalev

On July 25, 2019, Sergey Kovalev was again negotiating a deal to fight Álvarez for October 2019, in a fight that would see Álvarez make his light heavyweight debut.

November 2019: Álvarez vs. Kovalev Announced

A few weeks after Kovalev defeated Yarde, the fight between Kovalev and Álvarez was formally announced to take place on November 2, 2019, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, exclusively on DAZN. The fight would see Álvarez move up in weight again in attempt to become a four-division world champion.

November 2019: Ranked World's Best Boxer

From 7 November 2019, to 7 May 2022, The Ring ranked Álvarez as the world's best boxer, pound for pound.

2019: WBA Super Middleweight and IBF Middleweight Titles

In 2019, Álvarez beat Rocky Fielding for the WBA super middleweight title (Regular version) and won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title from Daniel Jacobs. He also knocked out Sergey Kovalev to claim the WBO light heavyweight title.

November 2020: Álvarez Released From Golden Boy Promotions

On November 6, 2020, Álvarez was released from his contract with Golden Boy Promotions after a lawsuit was settled for breach of contract.

December 2020: Álvarez to Face Callum Smith

On November 17, Álvarez announced he would be facing Callum Smith on December 19, 2020, with the vacant WBC title also at stake. Álvarez won by unanimous decision and became a four division world champion.

2020: Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Title

From 2020 to 2025, Canelo Álvarez held the Ring magazine super middleweight title.

January 2021: Álvarez to Defend Titles Against Yildirim

It was announced on January 20, 2021, that Álvarez would be defending his titles against Avni Yıldırım on February 27.

August 2021: Álvarez Announces Fight Against Caleb Plant

In August 2021, Canelo Álvarez announced on social media that he would face IBF champion Caleb Plant on November 6 in Las Vegas for all four major world titles in the super middleweight division.

September 2021: Álvarez and Plant Scuffle at Press Conference

In September 2021, during the first press conference for their fight, Canelo Álvarez and Caleb Plant engaged in a physical altercation after Álvarez took offense to Plant's language.

November 2021: WBC Approves Álvarez's Cruiserweight Title Challenge

In November 2021, at the WBC Convention, the WBC approved Eddy Reynoso's request for Álvarez to challenge Ilunga Makabu for the WBC cruiserweight title.

2021: Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion

In 2021, Álvarez became the first boxer in history to become the undisputed super middleweight champion.

January 2022: Makabu wins fight via split decision

On January 29, 2022, Makabu won his title defense fight against Thabiso Mchunu via split decision.

February 2022: Álvarez Signs Two-Fight Deal with Matchroom Boxing

In February 2022, Álvarez signed a two-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing, with the first fight set to be against Dmitry Bivol for the WBA (Super) light heavyweight title on May 7, to be televised on DAZN as a pay-per-view event.

May 2022: Álvarez Announces Trilogy Fight with Golovkin

In May 2022, Canelo Álvarez announced he would defend his super middleweight titles against Gennady Golovkin in a trilogy fight on September 17, despite expressing interest in a rematch with Dmitry Bivol. Golovkin would compete in the super middleweight division for the first time.

May 2022: Rumored Fight

In May 2022, the rumored fight between Álvarez and Makabu did not materialize after Makabu was forced into a mandatory title defense.

May 2022: Defeat by Dmitry Bivol

In May 2022, Álvarez returned to light heavyweight and challenged for the WBA (Super) light heavyweight title, but was defeated by Dmitry Bivol via unanimous decision.

June 2022: Álvarez Describes Rivalry with Golovkin as Personal

In June 2022, at the first pre-fight press conference in Los Angeles, Álvarez described the rivalry between him and Golovkin as personal and expressed his desire to retire Golovkin.

September 2022: Álvarez-Golovkin trilogy fight signed

In September 2022, the Álvarez-Golovkin trilogy fight was signed after Bivol apologized to his promoter Eddie Hearn.

March 2023: Álvarez to Fight John Ryder in Guadalajara

In March 2023, it was announced that Canelo Álvarez would defend his super middleweight titles against John Ryder in Guadalajara, Mexico, on May 6, marking his first fight in his home country in over eleven years.

2023: Executive Producer

In 2023, Álvarez served as executive-producer for the film The Long Game.

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February 2024: Report of Canelo Defending Title Against Munguia

In February 2024, reports surfaced that Canelo Álvarez would defend his undisputed super middleweight title against Jaime Munguia on May 4 in Las Vegas.

March 2024: Confirmation of fight between Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia

In March 2024, the fight between Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia was confirmed. Canelo ultimately won the fight by unanimous decision.

September 2024: Álvarez Defends Titles Against Berlanga

In September 2024, Canelo Álvarez defended his WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas, winning by unanimous decision. He had been stripped of his IBF title for failing to defend it against William Scull.

2024: Álvarez Ignoring Call Outs

Since 2024, Álvarez had been ignoring call outs from Crawford and Alalshikh for a fight.

February 2025: Álvarez Agrees to Fight Crawford

In February 2025, an agreement was reportedly in place for Álvarez to defend his super middleweight titles against Terence Crawford in September 2025, headlining a Riyadh Season card.

February 2025: Álvarez to Fight Scull

In February 2025, it was reported that Canelo Álvarez would fight William Scull for the undisputed super-middleweight title on May 3 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

May 2025: Global Ambassador for 1win

In May 2025, Álvarez was named global ambassador for the online sportsbook 1win under a multi-year agreement.

September 2025: Mega-fight scheduled

In September 2025, the mega-fight with Crawford was scheduled to take place.

December 2025: Crawford announces retirement

In December 2025, Crawford announced his retirement.

2025: Two-Time Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion

In 2025, Álvarez became a two-time undisputed super middleweight champion.

January 2026: Álvarez Announces "Mexico Against the World" Event

In January 2026, Canelo Álvarez, alongside Turki Al-Sheikh, announced the inaugural event promoted by Canelo Promotions titled "Mexico Against the World," to be held in Riyadh on September 12, 2026. Álvarez did activate the rematch clause against Crawford, however, Crawford announced his retirement in December 2025.