In Mexican culture, putting up an ofrenda is to remember our loved ones. We watch sports like soccer games, las luchas, and even boxing. All of these things have significance in our lives as Mexicans. There have been many legendary Mexican boxers, like Julio Ceaser Chavez Jr., Salvador Sanches, and Juan Manuel Marquez. One important boxer has caused massive discussion after his fight with Terence Crawford.
Santos Saul Alvarez Barragan, better known as Canelo, is a well-known fighter in the boxing community, and a huge figure in Mexican culture. Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, he began his boxing career at just fifteen-years old. Being a ginger-haired Mexican, he quickly gained traction, and not in a good way. He was bullied as a kid, leading to his boxing career. His first fight was in a small town event in Jalisco against Abraham Gonzalez and was won by a TKO (Technical Knock Out). From then on, he became a cultural hero.
“In my opinion, Canelo is like the face of boxing. He represents our culture,” said junior Angel Robles.
Canelo continuously is a source of pride for his beloved country, even in his ring entrance. He has mentioned numerous times that he doesn’t want to fight other Mexican fighters because he represents Mexico. However, he also stated he will fight anyone he wants to fight.
People really began watching Canelo after his first major fight against Shane Mosely on May 5. 2012. For his first forty-four fights, he had an undefeated score of forty-three wins in professional fights and one draw. His first defeat was against Floyd Mayweather on September 14th, 2013.
“It was very intense and it was really shocking. That day I realized Canelo had a lot of potential when he was young, lots of things to work on,” said Michael Pastrana.
Since then, Canelo has won a total of sixty-three fights, two draws, and has lost three times, one of his losses was in his most recent fight against Terrance Alan Crawford.
A mariachi band begins to play as Canelo walks out into the ring. Thousands of people are cheering his name. Many are betting Canelo to win. “Canelo Alvares, the king with sixty-three victories, thirty-nine knockouts, the face of boxing,” the announcer says as Canelo gets to the ring. “Cancion del Mariachi” by Antonio Banderas and the band Los Lobos starts to play and the crowd is confused. All you can hear are people booing as Terrance Crawford starts walking to the ring.
“I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely was not that,” said Pastrana. The fight is about to begin.
Adin Ross, a popular Kick streamer, notoriously changed his one million dollar bet on who will win from Canelo to Crawford moments before the match began, right after receiving a phone call. People saw it on Canelo’s face that he was not into this match like other times. Numerous people, especially Canelo’s fans, believed it was rigged. “A lot of people, they were hyping the fight up, but I feel like it’s just business,” said Robles. After every punch Canelo threw, Crawford rebutted with multiple punches. Many lost hope.
In the end, Crawford took the win, which made Crawford the first male in history to achieve undisputed status in three different weight classes. Canelo had essentially ‘lost his belts’ he had earned from other fights. He gave them to Crawford and hugged him. Mexican parents had watched his upbringing, watching since his first loss. Every time Canelo fought a match, many families got together to watch, wearing Mexican jerseys to show their pride. It was painful for many, they knew Canelo as a huge icon in boxing, seeing him lose made people believe he was only in it for the money. Although it’s speculation, he disappointed and shamed many Latino fans.
“[Some boxers] don’t fight for their honor, they fight for money. They look for fame. Canelo fights for his honor,” said Robles.
A couple losses do not signify that his career is over. We Mexicans are proud of Canelo for representing our culture and country as he fights. For the next boxing match, many will be watching, looking out for his downfall, that may or may not be closer or farther away than we think. His upbringing will bring more fighters into the boxing community, such as Alejandro Merino, a young fan who had the opportunity to meet and train with his idol. Canelo once said, “There are great legends and great fighters in the history of Mexico, and there will be more to come.”
