Canelo Alvarez needs no introduction to boxing fans as he is already in the conversation as one of the greatest to have stepped into the squared circle. But that’s not his real name. Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, the man behind the gloves, built his legend under a nickname that has become bigger than his birth name.

As the Mexican superstar prepares to face Terence Crawford on September 13 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a historic clash promoted by Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing and streamed worldwide on Netflix, the spotlight isn’t just on the clash. Fans are also asking a simple question: why do they call him ‘Canelo’? The answer may surprise you!

Why is Saul Alvarez called ‘Canelo’? Meaning & story behind the name

Beginning his professional boxing career at just 15, Saul Alvarez

See Full Page