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20 little-known facts about Canelo Alvarez

By David Rouben

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)
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 – AUGUST 28: Canelo Alvarez prepares to jump rope during a media workout at L.A. Live’s Microsoft Square on August 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 28: Canelo Alvarez prepares to jump rope during a media workout at L.A. Live’s Microsoft Square on August 28, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. Canelo is Spanish for “cinnamon”

First, let’s start with Alvarez’s name. Canelo’s not his actual first name – that would be Saul. But the Spanish word for “cinnamon” is canelo, and from there, you get his nickname. His trainer Jose Reynoso called him canelito, or “little cinnamon”, when they first met because of his red hair and freckles which make it look like he’s sprinkled with cinnamon. The older he got, he eventually dropped the “little.”

When it comes to boxing, nicknames are almost as important as your record. They’re a point of pride, a moniker that everyone remembers you by. They’re either appointed well in advance, or earned because of what you do in the ring.

The most famous Mexican boxers have typically earned their nicknames based on their in-ring exploits. Whether it be “Dynamite” Juan Manuel Marquez, “Golden Boy” Oscar de la Hoya or “Baby-Faced Assassin” Marco Antonio Barrerra, they all became household names because of their marketable labels.

But Alvarez kept his name simple. Even though being a redhead was the reason he got bullied during his childhood, it has since become a point of pride. Every time he makes the walk to the ring and hears his name announced, you can tell that he takes pride in his genetic mutation. Besides, there’s a much better ring to the name Canelo than Saul.

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