Canelo Álvarez has spent much of his life in the ring. The rituals are second nature by now: wrapping his hands, settling into his stance, testing the timing of a combination before a bell sounds. At 34, the Mexican boxer has become one of the most successful fighters of his generation, a world champion in multiple weight classes and one of the sport’s most bankable stars.
But Álvarez – who recently suffered defeat to Terence Crawford on points in Las Vegas — is also determined to present himself as more than a fighter. In recent years he has expanded into business and fashion, building an identity that stretches beyond boxing’s limits.
For him, the link between those worlds comes down to a single word: discipline. “No matter what else I’m doing, the fight is always my top priority,” Álvarez said. “I separate my time, I stay organized, and I surround myself with people I trust. Outside of training I can explore other passions, but once it’s time to fight, that is my focus.”
Álvarez grew up in Guadalajara, the youngest of eight children. His brothers boxed, and he followed them into gyms before most children his age had settled on a sport. By his teens, he was already turning heads. At that stage, he said, clothing and image mattered little. The singular goal was to win.
“When I was growing up with my brothers, fashion wasn’t something we thought about,” he said. “The focus was on training, winning, building my career and showing my strength. I was boxing from a young age. Over time, as I grew as a man and as an athlete, I began to appreciate how much style can reflect personality. Today, fashion is very important to me – it’s another way I express my growth as a businessman as well.”
That growth has been deliberate. In addition to his in-ring success, Álvarez has launched ventures in energy, beverages and real estate. He sees little separation between how he approaches a fight and how he approaches a deal.
“I feel I’m the same in the ring and in business,” he said. “Both are about skill, instinct, energy and always learning. The qualities that have shaped my success as a boxer are the elements that define my success in business too. In both, I bring the same mentality: to win, to adapt, and keep growing.”
If boxing has given Álvarez a stage, it has also given him a country to represent. His fights are broadcast globally, but they carry particular weight in Mexico, where boxing history runs deep. Álvarez places himself consciously within that lineage, following in the footsteps of Julio César Chávez and others who defined the national style of toughness and aggression.
“Representing Mexico for me is an honor because it represents our culture, and respect to other legendary boxers that have represented us in the history of boxing,” Álvarez said. “I see this as motivation, not pressure. Knowing that millions of Mexicans are behind me, supporting me, pushes me to give everything in the ring. I want to represent our culture, our strength, and our pride. Also, representing Latinos from all parts of the world.”
That representation is perhaps most visible on two weekends each year: Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day.
Álvarez now fights regularly on those dates, transforming his bouts into celebrations that extend beyond the arena. “It wasn’t something I planned for Cinco de Mayo and September,” he said. “I just fought on those dates because they’re important and the timing made sense for big fights to represent my heritage. But as the years went by, it became a tradition, and now it’s something I’m proud of. Both in May and September, it’s a celebration of Mexican culture and history, and to be part of that through boxing is special.”
The sense of ritual extends to the way Álvarez prepares himself mentally. Music is a constant presence, from training sessions to fight nights. He gravitates toward Latin genres – salsa, bachata, reggaeton – but blends them with electronic sounds when he wants calm and focus.
“Music is important to me because it sets the mood,” he said. “To mix up the vibes, I am listening to music with Buddha and electronic elements. It makes me feel at peace. For fight night, it depends on my mood and where I am mentally, but it can be a mix of everything I am currently listening to.”
He credits his family for giving him the grounding that has allowed him to carry both a public career and private responsibilities. His parents, he said, instilled values that he applies to every part of his life, and his children provide motivation to keep building. “My children give me motivation to build a future for them, and my parents taught me values that I carry in everything I do,” he said.
As the face of Mexican boxing today, Álvarez is aware that younger fighters are looking to him as a model. He warns that talent alone is not enough. “There’s always new talent coming up, but what matters is discipline and consistency,” he said. “People should watch the fighters who show real dedication, because talent alone isn’t enough. It’s the work behind the scenes that creates champions.”
Álvarez remains at the center of boxing’s biggest stages, but he also seems intent on proving that he can be more than a champion. To him, the habits that have defined his life – discipline, structure, focus – are transferable.
Whether in a Las Vegas arena, a boardroom, or a fashion campaign, he sees himself as guided by the same principles. Boxing made him, but he is determined not to let it define him completely.
