History of Canelo Álvarez in Timeline
"Canelo" Álvarez is a Mexican professional boxer renowned for holding multiple world championship titles in four weight classes, ranging from light middleweight to light heavyweight. Notably, he achieved undisputed champion status at super middleweight, a historic first, by holding the WBA, WBC, Ring, IBF, and WBO titles. He has unified titles in three weight classes and holds lineal titles in two.
July 1990: Birth of Canelo Álvarez
Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, widely known as Canelo, was born in July 1990.
2002: Last Non-Mayweather, Pacquiao, or De La Hoya PPV to Reach 900,000 Buys
In 2002, a heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson marked the last time a PPV fight generated 900,000 buys without involving Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, or Oscar De La Hoya.
2002: Lewis vs. Tyson: Last Non-Mayweather, Pacquiao, or De La Hoya PPV Hit
The last boxing match to generate over a million PPV buys without the involvement of Mayweather, Pacquiao, or De La Hoya before Álvarez-Chávez Jr. was the 2002 heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson.
2003: Marisol González crowned Miss Mexico Universe
In 2003, Marisol González, who was briefly engaged to Álvarez, was crowned Miss Mexico Universe.
2004: Canelo Álvarez Wins Silver at Junior Mexican National Championships
At the age of 14, Canelo Álvarez showcased his boxing potential by winning a silver medal at the Junior Mexican National Championships in Sinaloa.
2005: Canelo Álvarez Crowned Junior Mexican National Boxing Champion
Canelo Álvarez's talent was evident when he secured the Junior Mexican National Boxing Champion title in Tuxtla Gutiérrez at the young age of 15.
January 2006: Canelo Álvarez's Early Victory Against Miguel Vázquez
Canelo Álvarez faced future IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vázquez in his hometown of Guadalajara, Jalisco, on January 20, 2006, and emerged victorious.
June 2008: Canelo Álvarez's Historic Night with His Brothers
On June 28, 2008, Canelo Álvarez fought on the same card as all six of his brothers, marking a historic event in boxing. While Canelo secured a win against Miguel Vázquez in a rematch, three of his brothers unfortunately lost their pro debuts.
March 2010: Canelo Álvarez's Impressive Victory Over Brian Camechis
Canelo Álvarez showcased his power with a decisive third-round knockout victory over Brian Camechis in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, in March 2010.
2010: Establishment of Canelo Promotions
Álvarez established his boxing promotion company, Canelo Promotions, in 2010.
March 2011: Canelo Álvarez Claims WBC Light Middleweight Title
Canelo Álvarez captured his first world title on March 5, 2011, defeating Matthew Hatton by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC light middleweight belt at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
June 2011: Canelo Álvarez Defends WBC Title Against Ryan Rhodes
Canelo Álvarez successfully defended his WBC light middleweight title against Ryan Rhodes on June 18, 2011, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, winning by TKO in the twelfth round.
September 2011: Canelo Álvarez Retains WBC Title Against Alfonso Gómez
Canelo Álvarez continued his reign as WBC light middleweight champion with a sixth-round TKO victory over Alfonso Gómez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on September 17, 2011.
February 2012: Canelo Álvarez to Face Shane Mosley
In February 2012, it was announced that Canelo Álvarez would defend his WBC light middleweight title against former welterweight champion Shane Mosley in May.
May 2012: Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Light Middleweight Title Defense
Floyd Mayweather Jr. defended his light middleweight title against Miguel Cotto in May 2012, winning by unanimous decision. This victory set the stage for his eventual fight against Canelo Álvarez in September 2013.
May 2012: Paul Williams' Accident Impacts Canelo Álvarez's Fight Schedule
Paul Williams, a potential opponent for Canelo Álvarez, suffered a tragic motorcycle accident in May 2012 that left him paralyzed from the waist down, ending his boxing career and impacting Álvarez's fight plans.
September 2012: Canelo Álvarez's Fight Plans Change After Paul Williams' Accident
Canelo Álvarez was originally scheduled to fight Paul Williams in September 2012. However, Williams' career-ending motorcycle accident in May 2012 forced a change in plans, leading to Álvarez considering other opponents.
April 2013: Canelo Álvarez vs. Austin Trout
Canelo Álvarez, then the unified WBA (Regular) and WBC champion, faced Austin Trout on April 20, 2013, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The fight was initially planned as a co-main event to Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Robert Guerrero but was moved due to contractual disagreements.
September 2013: Contract Disputes Lead to Change in Canelo Álvarez's Fight Plans
Contractual disagreements between Canelo Álvarez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. regarding a potential fight in September 2013 led to Álvarez opting to headline his own card against Austin Trout in April 2013 instead.
September 2013: Canelo Álvarez vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
On September 14, 2013, Canelo Álvarez, the Ring magazine's #1 ranked light middleweight, faced Floyd Mayweather Jr., the Ring magazine's #1 pound-for-pound fighter, in a highly anticipated bout. The fight was contested at a catchweight of 152 lbs, with Álvarez's WBC and Ring light middleweight titles and Mayweather's WBA (Super) light middleweight title on the line.
2013: Canelo Promotions Represents 40 Boxers
By 2013, Canelo Promotions, co-founded with Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, represented 40 boxers across Mexico.
2013: Early Career and Undocumented Fights
In 2013, it was revealed that Canelo Álvarez's early professional record may be incomplete. His trainer at the time claimed that Álvarez had fought ten more times than officially documented, winning all by knockout. These undocumented fights, allegedly taking place in small venues in Nayarit, Mexico, were not properly recorded.
January 2014: Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo Fight Announcement
In January 2014, a fight between Canelo Álvarez and Alfredo Angulo was confirmed for March 8, 2014. The fight was set to take place at a catchweight of 155 lbs, with Alvarez agreeing to pay Angulo $100,000 from his purse to secure the bout.
March 2014: Canelo Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo
On March 8, 2014, Canelo Álvarez faced Alfredo Angulo at a catchweight of 155 lbs. Alvarez secured a tenth-round stoppage victory after delivering a lopsided beating, punctuated by a lead left uppercut. The fight, however, was met with some disapproval from the crowd due to the referee's decision to stop the fight in the tenth round.
July 2014: Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara
On July 12, 2014, Canelo Álvarez fought Erislandy Lara in a non-title catchweight bout. The fight, which saw Alvarez rehydrating to 171 lbs and Lara at 166 lbs, resulted in a controversial split decision victory for Alvarez. Despite Lara's effective movement and clean punching, the judges favored Alvarez's power punching and aggressive style.
January 2015: Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland Fight Announcement
In January 2015, a fight between Canelo Álvarez and James Kirkland was confirmed, although a date and venue were yet to be determined due to the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.
November 2015: Canelo Alvarez vs. Miguel Cotto
On November 21, 2015, Canelo Alvarez secured a unanimous decision victory against Miguel Cotto, claiming the WBC, Ring, and lineal middleweight titles. The fight, held at a catchweight of 155 lbs, showcased Alvarez's power and accuracy.
May 2016: Canelo Alvarez Vacates WBC Middleweight Title
Following his victory against Amir Khan, Canelo Álvarez vacated the WBC middleweight title, which was subsequently awarded to Gennady Golovkin. Alvarez's decision to vacate the title sparked discussions about a potential future fight between him and Golovkin.
May 2016: Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan
On May 7, 2016, Canelo Álvarez faced Amir Khan at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, defending his WBC, Ring, and lineal middleweight titles. Alvarez won the bout with a devastating right hand in the sixth round, knocking Khan out.
September 2016: Canelo Alvarez vs. Liam Smith Fight Announcement
On June 24, 2016, it was announced that Canelo Álvarez would challenge WBO champion Liam Smith on September 17, 2016. The fight, scheduled to take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, marked Alvarez's return to the 154-pound weight class after fighting at a catchweight of 155 lbs in his previous five bouts.
December 2016: Negotiations for Potential Álvarez vs. Chávez Jr. Fight
Following Julio César Chávez Jr.'s comeback victory in December 2016, negotiations for a potential fight against Canelo Álvarez in 2017 gained momentum.
January 2017: WBO Mandates Álvarez as Middleweight Challenger
In a controversial move in January 2017, the WBO declared Álvarez the mandatory challenger for the middleweight title, despite him not competing in that weight class at the time.
May 2017: Álvarez vs. Chávez Jr. Confirmed for May 6th
The highly anticipated bout between Álvarez and Chávez Jr. was officially announced to take place on May 6, 2017.
September 2017: Álvarez vs. Golovkin Still on the Table
Despite ongoing negotiations for the Álvarez-Chávez Jr. fight, Golden Boy Promotions reassured fans that a fight between Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin was still being considered for September 2017.
September 2017: Álvarez Announces Golovkin Fight After Chávez Jr. Victory
Immediately following his win against Chávez Jr., Álvarez announced his next fight would be against Gennady Golovkin, scheduled for September 16, 2017.
December 2017: Golovkin Open to December Fight
While Álvarez aimed for a May 2018 rematch, Golovkin was open to fighting in December 2017, demonstrating his eagerness for the rematch and his preference for staying active.
2017: Álvarez vs. Golovkin I
In 2017, Canelo Álvarez and Gennady Golovkin fought to a controversial draw. Both fighters believed they won, and the decision sparked immediate talk of a rematch. Golovkin retained his titles, but the outcome left many fans dissatisfied.
2017: Álvarez Plans to Defend Titles and Fight Golovkin
In 2017, Golden Boy president Eric Gomez revealed Canelo Álvarez's plans to defend his WBO title in early 2017 and potentially fight Gennady Golovkin later in the year.
January 2018: Rematch Officially Announced
In January 2018, HBO officially announced the highly anticipated rematch between Álvarez and Golovkin, sending waves of excitement through the boxing world. The fight was set for May on Cinco de Mayo weekend.
March 2018: Álvarez Tests Positive, Rematch in Jeopardy
The planned rematch between Álvarez and Golovkin was thrown into turmoil in March 2018 when Álvarez tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol. This led to his temporary suspension by the NSAC and cast serious doubt over the fight's future.
May 2018: Rematch Planned
After their controversial draw in 2017, Álvarez and Golovkin expressed interest in a rematch, with Álvarez aiming for a May 2018 date. The fight was highly anticipated by fans and considered the biggest potential bout in boxing.
August 2018: Álvarez Receives Suspension, Plans Return
After a hearing in August 2018, Álvarez was handed a six-month suspension, backdated to his first failed drug test. This meant his ban would end in August 2018. Following the suspension, De La Hoya announced Álvarez's intention to return to the ring on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
August 2018: Golovkin Stripped of IBF Title, Rematch Back On
In a turn of events, Golovkin was stripped of his IBF title in June 2018 for not adhering to their rules regarding mandatory challengers. However, after much back and forth, including a brief period where the rematch seemed off, the Álvarez-Golovkin rematch was officially back on for September 15th at the T-Mobile Arena.
October 2018: Álvarez Announces Move to Super Middleweight
In October 2018, Álvarez revealed his decision to move up to the super middleweight division, a significant career move. His first fight in this weight class was scheduled against Rocky Fielding for the WBA (Regular) super middleweight title.
December 2018: Álvarez Wins WBA Super Middleweight Title
On December 15th, 2018, Álvarez made his super middleweight debut a successful one, securing a dominant third-round TKO victory over Rocky Fielding to claim the WBA (Regular) super middleweight title. This marked a successful start to his campaign in a new weight class.
February 2019: Yıldırım's Previous Loss to Dirrell
In February 2019, Avni Yıldırım faced Anthony Dirrell, resulting in a technical split decision loss that later played a role in his positioning for a fight against Álvarez.
May 2019: Álvarez vs. Jacobs Unification Bout
In May 2019, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Álvarez triumphed over Daniel Jacobs in a unanimous decision, solidifying his hold on multiple middleweight titles and adding Jacobs' IBF title to his collection.
September 2019: Álvarez Announces Move to Light Heavyweight
September 2019 marked a turning point in Álvarez's career when he announced his ambition to challenge Sergey Kovalev, the reigning WBO light heavyweight champion, signaling a move up in weight classes.
November 2019: Álvarez Becomes Three-Division World Champion
Álvarez achieved a significant milestone in November 2019 by defeating Sergey Kovalev, becoming a three-division world champion and etching his name in boxing history as one of the few former junior middleweight champions to win a light heavyweight title.
2019: Canelo Álvarez Makes Forbes' Highest-Paid Athletes List
Canelo Álvarez's success in the ring translated into financial success, earning him a spot on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes in 2019.
2019: Álvarez Named Fighter of the Year
Álvarez's exceptional performance in 2019 earned him widespread recognition, including being named fighter of the year by prominent boxing publications and organizations.
November 2020: Álvarez Parts Ways with Golden Boy Promotions
November 2020 saw Álvarez severing ties with Golden Boy Promotions following a legal dispute over a breach of contract.
December 2020: Álvarez vs. Smith: A Four-Division Championship Win
In December 2020, Álvarez's victory over Callum Smith in San Antonio, Texas, secured his position as a four-division world champion, adding another layer to his already impressive career.
2020: Retirement Plans and Passion for Golf
In 2020 Alvarez shared his plans to retire from boxing by the age of 37 to focus on business ventures and playing golf.
2020: Canelo Álvarez Becomes Unified Super Middleweight Champion
In 2020, Canelo Álvarez achieved a significant milestone by becoming the unified super middleweight champion, holding the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring magazine titles.
January 2021: Álvarez Announces Title Defense Against Yıldırım
Álvarez announced his decision to defend his titles against Avni Yıldırım in January 2021, a fight met with mixed reactions due to Yıldırım's previous record.
May 2021: Álvarez's Use of Offensive Language Resurfaces
During the controversy surrounding his altercation with Caleb Plant, Álvarez's past use of offensive language towards Demetrius Andrade in May 2021 was brought to light.
May 2021: Marriage to Fernanda Gómez
In May 2021, Álvarez married his longtime partner Fernanda Gómez in a ceremony at the Guadalajara Cathedral in Guadalajara, Mexico.
August 2021: Álvarez Announces Undisputed Showdown with Plant
August 2021 saw Álvarez set the stage for an unprecedented showdown with Caleb Plant, aiming to become the first undisputed super middleweight champion.
September 2021: Álvarez and Plant's Press Conference Altercation
Tensions ran high in September 2021 when Álvarez and Plant engaged in a physical altercation during a press conference, fueled by personal insults and accusations.
November 2021: WBC Approves Álvarez's Cruiserweight Title Shot
A potential shift in Álvarez's trajectory came in November 2021 when the WBC approved his request to challenge Ilunga Makabu for the cruiserweight title, a move requiring a significant jump in weight class.
2021: Canelo Álvarez Becomes Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion
Canelo Álvarez further solidified his legacy in 2021 by securing the IBF and WBO titles, making him the undisputed champion at super middleweight.
January 2022: Makabu's Mandatory Title Defense Delays Álvarez Fight
Álvarez's plans for a cruiserweight title shot were put on hold in January 2022 as Ilunga Makabu, the reigning champion, was obligated to defend his title against Thabiso Mchunu.
February 2022: Álvarez Signs Two-Fight Deal with Matchroom Boxing
February 2022 marked a new chapter for Álvarez as he inked a deal with Matchroom Boxing, securing two fights and paving the way for his return to the light heavyweight division.
May 2022: Álvarez Announces Return to Light Heavyweight
In May 2022, Álvarez announced his return to the light heavyweight division, setting his sights on Dmitry Bivol's WBA (Super) title and a historic pay-per-view event on DAZN.
May 2022: Álvarez Announces Trilogy Bout with Golovkin
In May 2022, Álvarez surprised fans by announcing a trilogy bout against Gennady Golovkin, a highly anticipated matchup set for September in the super middleweight division.
June 2022: Álvarez Addresses "Personal" Rivalry with Golovkin
During a press conference in June 2022, Álvarez held nothing back, labeling his rivalry with Golovkin as "personal" and expressing his desire to end Golovkin's career.
2022: Canelo Álvarez Continues to Dominate Forbes' Highest-Paid Athletes List
Canelo Álvarez maintained his position as one of the highest-paid athletes globally, appearing on Forbes' list again in 2022.
March 2023: Álvarez to Defend Titles in Hometown Guadalajara
In March 2023, it was announced that Álvarez would be defending his undisputed super middleweight titles against John Ryder in his hometown of Guadalajara, marking his first fight in Mexico in over a decade.
September 2023: Álvarez vs. Charlo: A Unanimous Decision Victory
September 2023 saw Álvarez successfully defend his titles against Jermell Charlo, who moved up two weight classes for the challenge, in a fight where Álvarez secured a unanimous decision.
2023: Canelo Álvarez Remains a Top Earner in Sports
Canelo Álvarez's consistent performance and popularity solidified his financial standing, as he was once again featured on Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes in 2023.
2023: Cameo Appearance in Creed III
Álvarez made a cameo appearance in the movie Creed III, which was released in 2023.
February 27, 2024: Reports Surface of Álvarez vs. Munguia Bout
Reports emerged on February 27, 2024, suggesting a potential matchup between Álvarez and Jaime Munguia for the undisputed super middleweight title, scheduled for Cinco de Mayo weekend in Las Vegas.
March 12, 2024: Álvarez vs. Munguia Fight Confirmed
The much-anticipated bout between Álvarez and Jaime Munguia was officially confirmed on March 12, 2024, adding another chapter to Álvarez's reign as the undisputed super middleweight champion.
May 2024: Canelo Álvarez Ranked Among the World's Best Boxers
As of May 2024, Canelo Álvarez is recognized as one of the world's best active boxers, consistently ranked in the top five by reputable organizations such as The Ring, BoxRec, and TBRB.
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