Boxing

CANELO ALVAREZ once considered QUITTING boxing as he could not afford a car on his £35 fight purses… now he is the sport’s richest star.The Mexican ring legend turned professional aged just 15 but was making tiny paydays at the start of his career.
Canelo Alvarez considered quitting boxing as he could not afford a car
The Mexican was once making just $35 a fight
Canelo Alvarez made his pro debut aged 15
Now almost 20 years on and Canelo is boxing’s prized asset and the biggest box office attraction.
The current undisputed super-middleweight champion’s journey began on the Juanacatlan streets as a nine-year-old.
Canelo would lace up the gloves and challenge all comers, inspired to box by his oldest brother Rigoberto.
In a DAZN documentary, he revealed: “I started boxing because of my oldest brother. I saw his professional debut.
READ MORE IN BOXING
“Since then, it’s like my eyes turned into gloved-shaped hearts. Since then, I said, ‘I want to be a boxer, I want to be a boxer.’
“Since then, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Then he moved for two years to Tijuana, I would ask, ‘Please take me with you. I want to be a boxer like you.’
“But my dad wouldn’t let me go.”
Canelo, the youngest of seven brothers with three of them also fighters, was eventually given the green light to chase his boxing dreams at 13.
Most read in Boxing
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
And it led him to Chepo Reynoso’s gym, which the trainer co-run with his son Eddy, with the pair coaching Canelo still till this day.
Canelo had 46 amateur bouts, losing just twice and winning national titles while also impressing against seasoned veterans in sparring.
Brother Gonzalo said: “I loved to see him training with world champion “Chatiti” Jauregui and he was just a 15-year-old boy.
“He would stand stand his ground and the world champion couldn’t dominate.”

Canelo turned pro in 2005 after just two years worth of experience and fought for little pay across Mexico.
It proved such hard work that the future fight icon was ready to prematurely hang up his gloves to earn money a normal way.
Gonzalo said: “There was a moment when he was considering quitting boxing, because, I remember, they paid him almost nothing when he started.
Canelo Alvarez was a national amateur champion
Canelo Alvarez started boxing at 13
Eddy Reynoso with Canelo Alvarez
“Sometimes they would pay him $40 and the rest in tickets for him to sell.
“If he’d sell them he would make a bit of money, if not, that was his problem.
“He wanted to buy a car so he’d say, ‘I’m going to look for a job.’ He was losing his patience.
“So, I told him, ‘Brother, you have something that almost nobody has, you’re a Mexican, redhead and very good at what you’re doing. I believe you’ll be world champion and you will make history.'”
Canelo’s life changed at 17 when he became a father, to his eldest daughter Emily.
He said: “There were very complicated moments, when I couldn’t afford milk, diapers, or the bus fare to go to training.
“But one way or another, I would figure it out and push forward.”
Canelo Alvarez turned pro in 2005
Canelo Alvarez with his eldest daughter Emily
Canelo, who now has three daughters and one son, drew inspiration from his father Santos and credits him for his success.
But in the early days of his career, he found motivation from his first daughter.
Canelo said: “At home, I would think, ‘I don’t want this for my daughter, I want something better.’
“So I aimed to give the best to my daughter.”
Canelo made a name for himself in his homeland with 21 wins before making his Stateside debut in 2008.
By 2011, and already 37 fights in, he became world champ for the first time, beating Ricky Hatton’s brother Matthew for the light-middleweight title, aged only 20.
Around 1.4MILLION people watched and a star was born overnight.
Canelo Alvarez with his daughter Maria Fernanda
Canelo Alvarez with his son and daughter
In the decade since, Canelo inherited the pound-for-pound throne vacated by Floyd Mayweather, who beat the Mexican in 2013.
The 32-year-old has won belts up to light-heavyweight and become the highest-paid fighter in the process.
According to Forbes, Canelo made around £74m for his two wins in 2021 over Billy Joe Saunders, 33, and Caleb Plant, 30, alone.
And he makes just under £5m in sponsorships while also previously claiming he earns £1.1m a month due to his investments, mainly in real estate.
And for the man who once could not afford a car to get around, Canelo is now spoilt for choice.
His collection has included a Bugatti Chiron, worth £2.8m, a £1m LaFerrari and a £520,000 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.
A bulk of Canelo’s wealth come following his two fights with Gennady Golovkin, 40, which both sold over 1m pay-per-views.
He is said to have earned £24 for the 2017 draw and then around £43m for the rematch he won a year later.
The mega-rich boxer has a fleet of supercarsCredit: Instagram @Canelo
Canelo Alvarez with his white FerrariCredit: Instgram canelo
Canelo Alvarez poses by a LamborghiniCredit: Instgram canelo
The pair are finally set to complete their trilogy this weekend in Las Vegas, which promises to further boost Canelo’s net worth.
But the fight means more than any number on a paycheque, with losing simply not an option for Canelo.
He said: “I think we had a really good two fights. People want the three fights.
“For me in my mind, at the end of the second fight, that was the end of the fights with Golovkin. It’s enough.
“But the people want to know who is the best. He always says I’m not a good champion, I’m embarrassing for my country, but when he is in front of me he doesn’t say anything.
“That’s why I’m mad. He’s a good, difficult, strong fighter. One of the greatest of all time. Our styles are perfect for a good fight.
“I think I’m more mature, more strong, have good experience, and I’m in my prime. That is going to be the difference.
Read More on The Sun
“I think it is going to be a good fight, but my goal is to end the fight before the 12 rounds.
“Nobody likes to lose, but losing is not an option for me.”
Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez drew in 2017Credit: AP:Associated Press
Canelo Alvarez beat Gennady Golovkin in their 2018 rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin ahead of their trilogyCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

DEONTAY WILDER has revealed the only way he will fight Anthony Joshua… is by sharing a joint with him!The Bronze Bomber is making his comeback to the squared circle on October 15 to face Finnish heavyweight Robert Helenius in New York.
Deontay Wilder has joked what it would take for him to face Anthony Joshua inside the ringCredit: Getty
Joshua is set to fight British rival Tyson Fury for the WBC heavyweight title in DecemberCredit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
it will be the first time the 36-year-old will have stepped back inside the ring since he was knocked out by Tyson Fury last year in their trilogy bout.
Like Wilder, Joshua is also coming off the back of two defeats after coming up short twice against unbeaten Ukrainian star Oleksandr Usyk.
But the 32-year-old is set for an instant return after accepting Tyson Fury’s 60-40 purse split terms ahead of a potential December 3 showdown.
It will give AJ the chance to claim the famous WBC belt – the only strap he is yet to collect having been a two-time WBA, WBO and IBF champion.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Olympic gold medallist Joshua expects to a have a contract in place for a domestic dust-up with Fury “in the next couple of days”.
And attention has already turned to who Joshua could fight after whether he returns to the pinnacle of the glamour division, or if he succumbs to a third straight loss.
American KO specialist Wilder has failed to agree terms with Joshua in the past over a fight, but he has now stated the one condition it would need to take to face him.
And that is for the two boxers, as well as their promoters, to enjoy a spliff together.
Most read in boxing
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Speaking on the Last Stand Podcast, the Alabama native said: “I’m willing and able for everybody.
“I still wanna whoop that a**. I’m not gonna rob the fans of not making that fight happen.
“I definitely want that fight to happen. I just wanna know if they’re for real.”
Asked how the fight gets made, he remarked: “We’re gonna have to go to California and all just light one up and discuss it man.
“That’s a good idea. You can see Shelly Finkel passing it to Eddie Hearn, Joshua passing it to me. That’s so funny.” More

ANTHONY JOSHUA expects to have a contract to fight Tyson Fury “in the next couple of days” – paving the way for the Battle of Britain. AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn held talks with Frank Warren’s son George last week, where a “take it or leave it” deal was offered.
Anthony Joshua expects to have a contract to fight Tyson Fury ‘in next couple of days’Credit: Getty
Tyson Fury offered Anthony Joshua a 60/40 dealCredit: Getty
And after orders from Joshua, Hearn confirmed they were willing to accept the terms, which included conceding a financial split of 60/40.
Speaking on his Matchroom Boxing’s channel, he said: “On Friday I met with George Warren and we had an offer for the fight.
“We weren’t happy with all the terms and we tried to negotiate those terms but we were told there was no negotiation, it was take it or leave it and we took it.
“We accepted the offer in writing on Friday.

“I spoke to George Warren again this morning and we expect to receive a contract in the next few days and hopefully we can move forward with the fight.
“There is no reason not to, the key terms are agreed; there is a broadcast situation to sort out which at the moment is extremely positive. At the moment we’re in a good place.”
The fight will come as an unexpected immediate world title shot for Joshua, 32, who is coming off the back of two losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
Usyk, 35, was then expected to face Fury, 34, in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout.
Most read in Boxing
PADDY POWER BETTING OFFER – GET £50 BACK AS CASH

But the Ukrainian has ruled himself out until next year having returned to his war-torn home and family for the first time.
So Fury, coming out of the retirement he announced in April, surprisingly turned to AJ in a bid to fight before the end of the year.
Hearn had wanted to get Joshua back in the ring in December in a confidence-building bout.
But the opportunity to challenge for Fury’s WBC belt all while settling their long-standing feud has proved too good to turn down.
Hearn said: “He felt this was his opportunity to get the fight with Tyson Fury.
“I think Mr Fury has a great deal but this wasn’t about the money for us.
“We weren’t allowed to negotiate; in all deals you negotiate but we were told unequivocally, ‘No movement, take it or leave it’.

When will Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua take place? All you need to know on blockbuster bout
“We were treated like the B-side going into the fight and it came down to AJ wanting the fight.
“I always have my doubts about Tyson Fury but everything I hear from George Warren I believe and they are saying all the right things.
“They are saying 100 per cent they want the fight and if they do, they’ll get it.”
The grudge fight is set for December 3 at Cardiff’s 75,000-seat Principality Stadium.
Fury is tied down to an exclusive deal with BT Sports while Joshua’s brand new deal with DAZN starts with his next fight.
But the sports streaming service has recently launched a pay-per-view platform, making a rare duel box office deal possible.
Read More on The Sun
Hearn said: “Those conversations are already rolling and I don’t see why an amicable solution can’t be found.
“The broadcasters could stop this fight but I don’t think they want to. It’s in everybody’s interest for this fight to happen.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn is leading talks for Anthony Joshua to fight Tyson FuryCredit: PA
Tyson Fury with his promoter Frank WarrenCredit: PA More

TYSON FURY is vowing to finish off Anthony Joshua “nice and quickly” in their blockbuster fight.AJ’s management team today confirmed they will accept Fury’s 60/40 offer on December 3, set for Wales’ Principality Stadium.
Tyson Fury is vowing to finish off Anthony Joshua ‘nice and quickly’Credit: Getty
Anthony Joshua has agreed to Tyson Fury’s fight termsCredit: Getty
And if terms are sensationally agreed, it could end up being the biggest bout in British boxing history, worth over £70MILLION.
And Fury, who we recently revealed is “training like a man possessed”, is not planning on hanging around when the pair step in the ring.
“Tyson wants to leave win and win in style,” a source close to the Gypsy King said
“He wants to leave no one in doubt who is the better fighter. He wants an early KO to put the whole debate about who is the better fighter to bed once and for all.”
READ MORE IN BOXING
Despite having everything to lose, Fury has also told pals he feels “zero pressure”.
Our source added: “Tyson isn’t nervous. Why would he be? He knows he has all the tools to dismantle Joshua and he plans to demonstrate that.”
Fury’s vow comes days after the his US promoter Bob Arum warned Joshua he faces a “massacre” if he accepts the world title challenge.
WBC champion Fury, 34, announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte, 34, in April, but has reversed that decision numerous times.
Most read in Boxing
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

In comments made before the fight was announced, Arum said: “I don’t think it’s gonna happen.
“While Fury would want it to happen, I put myself in the shoes of Eddie Hearn and Joshua.
“After losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk, you want to get him back in with two fights that restore his confidence.
“If he goes back in the ring now with Fury, it’s gonna be a massacre.”
Joshua, 32, has lost to pound-for-pound star Usyk, 35, twice in the space of 11 months.
And the Ukrainian then put himself in line for the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout.
Read More on The Sun
But Usyk has ruled himself out of action until next year having returned to his war-torn home with friends and family for the first time.
So Fury made the shock decision to turn his attention to Joshua, in a bid to finally settle their long-standing feud.
Tyson Fury training for his next fightCredit: @Tyson_Fury More