Canelo's Grand Farewell Vision: Legendary Boxer Dreams of Final Fight in Mexico!
Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez is nearing the end of his illustrious boxing career and plans to hold his final fight in Mexico. The 36-year-old champion, set to face Christian Mbilli in October, shared his vision for a grand finale at Estadio Azteca, reflecting on his vast achievements in the sport.Brett Okamoto, a seasoned combat sports reporter for ESPN since 2010, has extensively covered major events and interviewed prominent figures such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Floyd Mayweather. Okamoto, who also produced the 30 for 30 film "Chuck and Tito," resides in Las Vegas and is an active presence on X.
Mexican boxing icon Canelo Alvarez, at 36 years old and boasting a record of 63-3-2 with 39 KOs, is approaching the conclusion of his illustrious career. He has openly expressed his desire to stage his final professional bout in his home country of Mexico. Alvarez is currently slated to defend his WBC super middleweight championship against the undefeated Christian Mbilli (29-0-1, 24 KOs) on October 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Alvarez's vision for his swansong in Mexico was sparked during a visit to Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the World Cup in June. He described the stadium as having an "incredible vibe" and a "very good feeling," immediately picturing himself fighting there. Following this experience, he engaged in discussions with Emilio Azcarraga, chairman of Televisa and owner of Club America, regarding the possibility of hosting a future fight at the iconic venue.
Despite being born in Guadalajara, Alvarez has fought in Mexico only once since 2012, with the majority of his career bouts taking place in Las Vegas. His sole return to fight in Mexico during this period was a unanimous decision victory over John Ryder on May 6, 2023, held at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara.
Although Alvarez believes he could physically continue fighting for a longer period due to feeling "very good," he acknowledges that he has achieved everything he set out to do in boxing. With nearly 70 professional fights under his belt, he feels there isn't much more to accomplish within the sport. He estimates that "four or five more fights would be enough," as he has already surpassed his initial aspirations.
This sentiment is echoed by Alvarez's longtime trainer, Eddie Reynoso, who confirmed that his fighter is in the "final stage" of his career. Reynoso noted Alvarez's extensive career, spanning over 70 fights and 20 years in boxing, indicating that these upcoming matches will likely be his last. Both Alvarez and Reynoso are committed to preparing thoroughly and ensuring a strong finish to his storied journey in professional boxing.