20 little-known facts about Canelo Alvarez

NEW YORK CITY - JUNE 20: Hennessy, the world's best-selling Cognac, presents Lineal and RING Magazine Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez with a custom engraved bottle of Paradis Imperial during the Canelo vs. Golovkin press tour at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Hennessy recently announced its partnership with Canelo who, like Hennessy, has a passion for pushing the limits of potential to Never stop. Never settle. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Hennessy) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 18: Saul Alvarez of Mexico hits Carlos Baldomir of Argentina in the WBC Super Welterweight Silver Title fight at Staples Center on September 18, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

14. Carlos Baldomir knockout put him on the map

If you’re searching for a fight that put Canelo on the map, look no further than his knockout of Carlos Baldomir. Sure, he made a name for himself by beating Jose Cotto, but that contest was overshadowed by the main event. If anything, Baldomir wasn’t sold on him.

Even though he was on the undercard of Shane Mosley vs. Sergio Mora, more people tuned in to watch this fight. In the lead-up to the bout, Baldomir called for the winner of Mosley vs. Mora and predicted he would knock out “El Canelo.” Not only was he twice as old as Alvarez, he came into the fight over two pounds overweight. Even though Canelo declined to take the 20 percent of Baldomir’s fight purse that he owed, he still made him pay by knocking him out in the sixth round.

Baldomir came into the contest as a 63-fight veteran. Even though he had lost 12 times before, Canelo earned the distinct honor of being the first man to knock him out. Canelo also won a shiny new WBC Silver super welterweight title after becoming the interim champ the fight prior.

Canelo took Baldomir’s soul that night. He was never the same fighter afterwards, going 4-3 before retiring. Canelo, meanwhile, earned his first main event in the States against Matthew Hatton two fights later and began his ascent up the rankings. Within a year, he was fighting Shane Mosley on a Cinco de Mayo pay-per-view, which was probably a spot he thought he’d never earn. If Canelo’s career is proof of anything, it’s that dreams do come true.

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