Saul “Canelo” Álvarez, famously dubbed Canelo, is a professional pugilist from Mexico who has clinched numerous global championships across different weight categories. But, what is Canelo’s precise weight category? In this article, we delve into this query and showcase his statistics, notable triumphs, forthcoming matches, and more.
Renowned as one of the premier counterpunchers globally, Canelo capitalizes on any gaps in his opponents’ defense while evading blows with extraordinary head and body movements. Known for his powerful body punches, he has secured unified titles in three weight divisions and lineal titles in two.
Let’s delve into the illustrious career of this Mexican boxing virtuoso.
What Weight Category Does Canelo Álvarez Currently Compete In?
Mexican MMA sensation Canelo Álvarez presently competes in the Super Middleweight (168lbs) division within the UFC. His latest weigh-in for his bout against Jermell Charlo in September 2023 recorded him at approximately 167.4lbs, situating the fight in the super middleweight category.
On fight night, Canelo made a statement by defeating Charlo via unanimous decision, achieving the sole knockout of the match in the seventh round and maintaining dominance over his American rival throughout. Even in a higher weight class, Canelo exhibited agility and controlled the fight’s tempo.
The formidable Mexican never struggled with weight class transitions. He adeptly acclimates to the shifts, refines his techniques, and maximizes his skills to overpower adversaries.
A Comprehensive List of Canelo’s Career Weight Classes:
Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán, widely recognized as Canelo Álvarez, has clinched numerous global championships across various divisions. His impressive counterpunching prowess and exceptional defense make him a formidable contender.
Canelo Álvarez has competed in four weight classes ranging from light middleweight to light heavyweight. He’s triumphed in unified titles across three and lineal titles in two categories. He currently dominates the super middleweight division, holding all four major titles, asserting his reign as the undisputed champion.
Before moving on, let’s take a quick glance at Canelo Alvarez’s statistics:
- Record: 60-2-2
- Wins by KO: 39
- DOB: July 18, 1990
- Age: 33
- Stance: Orthodox
- Reach: 70½″ inches
- Height: 5-foot-8
- Current weight: 167.8 lbs
1. Light Middleweight:
Canelo Álvarez entered the professional scene at merely 15 years old with a championship victory at the Junior Nationals. In his first 19 months as a professional, he secured knockout wins against 11 of his 13 documented opponents, notably much older than him.
Canelo Álvarez’s first major accolade in the Light Middleweight category was a sixth-round TKO against Luciano Leonel Cuello, capturing the WBC Silver Light Middleweight title. In March 2011, he claimed the vacant WBC light middleweight title by defeating European welterweight champion Matthew Hatton via unanimous decision.
The formidable Mexican subdued notable contenders like Kermit Cintrón, Shane Mosley, López, and Austin Trout with sheer supremacy. However, he faced a significant defeat against Floyd Mayweather, the top-ranked light middleweight by Ring Magazine.
Post his loss to Mayweather via majority decision at the MGM Garden, Canelo moved to the Catchweight division. Yet, he later returned to light middleweight and conquered the 27-year-old WBO champion Liam Smith for the title.
2. Middleweight:
Following his victory over Chávez Jr., Canelo Álvarez ascended to the middleweight division to challenge Gennady Golovkin in September 2017. The bout, hailed as a ‘classic’ by numerous media outlets, resulted in one of the most controversial draws in history.
The rivals met again in a rematch, which was equally contentious as Álvarez claimed victory via majority decision after twelve rounds. Both encounters were financially lucrative.
Within this division, Álvarez also contended with Daniel Jacobs for the IBF middleweight title in a unification contest, successfully defending his WBA (Super), WBC, Ring, and lineal middleweight titles and triumphing over Jacobs for the IBF middleweight title.
3. Super Middleweight:
Canelo Álvarez first stepped into the super middleweight division in October 2018. He overpowered 31-year-old British boxer Rocky Fielding at MSG, New York, capturing the WBA (Regular) Super Middleweight title with a dominating victory.
He then dominated Callum Smith in a high-stake bout, securing the vacant WBC title, WBA (Super), and The Ring Super Middleweight title via unanimous decision and inflicting a detached left biceps injury on Smith. Subsequently, Álvarez defended his titles against Avni Yıldırım and Billy Saunders effectively.
Canelo Álvarez also clashed with the undefeated IBF titleholder, Caleb Plant, in a historic match for all major world championships in the super middleweight division. Álvarez emerged victorious with an eleventh-round technical knockout, becoming only the sixth boxer in the four-belt era to consolidate all titles in one weight class.
In another significant match, Álvarez faced Gennady Golovkin for the third time in the super middleweight division. Álvarez successfully defended his unified titles, triumphing over Golovkin by unanimous decision. Moving forward to March 2023, Álvarez again proved his prowess by unanimously defeating WBO interim champion John Ryder, securing his titles for the second time.
4. Light Heavyweight:
In September 2019, Canelo Álvarez ascended two weight classes to challenge WBO light heavyweight titleholder Sergey Kovalev, marking his debut in the light heavyweight category. Álvarez achieved a remarkable victory with a lethal left hook, securing his status as a four-division world champion.
This accomplishment earned Álvarez the Fighter of the Year title from prestigious outlets such as The Ring Magazine, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2019. His second bout in this division ended unexpectedly, as undefeated WBA (Super) champion Dmitry Bivol handed Álvarez the second loss of his career by unanimous decision. Subsequently, a rematch with Bivol did not materialize as Álvarez opted to fight Golovkin instead.
5. Catchweight:
Canelo Álvarez has also participated in notable catchweight non-title bouts against Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Lara, and James Kirkland, dominating all his adversaries. Furthermore, he claimed the WBC, Ring, and lineal middleweight titles by defeating Miguel Cotto.
One of the most significant catchweight matches featured British boxer Amir Khan, who leaped up two weight classes to challenge Álvarez. In the sixth round at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Álvarez secured a knockout victory with a powerful right hand.
However, the most memorable catchweight fight for Álvarez was against the returning Julio César Chávez Jr., whom Álvarez defeated with a decisive unanimous decision.
What does the Future Hold for Canelo Álvarez?
Most recently, Canelo Alvarez defended his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO super middleweight titles by claiming a unanimous decision victory over Jermell Charlo. Industry experts suggest that Alvarez has not faced a competitive challenge to his fighting style in his latest outings.
The Mexican boxing star, confident in his supremacy in the 168 lbs (Super Middleweight) category, plans to stay in this division. Potential challengers for his title could include former two-time super middleweight champion David Benavidez or former multi-division champion Terence Crawford. However, nothing is finalized yet. We eagerly wait to see who will next face Álvarez in this weight class, where he remains an indomitable force.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the best weight class for Canelo Alvarez?:
The Super Middleweight (168 LBS) division suits Canelo Alvarez perfectly, as he dominates this class with his impressive speed, counterpunching technique, and robust defense. Additionally, his height gives him a competitive edge to comfortably dispatch opponents.
2. How much does Canelo Alvarez weigh right now?:
As of January 2024, Canelo Alvarez’s weight is approximately 167.8 LBS. Competing in the Super Middleweight category, he recently emerged victorious in a unanimous decision against Jermell Charlo to retain his WBC/WBA/IBF/WBO super middleweight titles.
3. Who has beaten Canelo Alvarez?:
Canelo Alvarez has experienced only two defeats as of January 2024. Floyd Mayweather first defeated him by unanimous decision in September 2013, followed by Dmitry Bivol’s surprising unanimous decision victory in May 2022. His record stands at an impressive 60-2-2.
4. What is Canelo Alvarez best known for?:
Canelo Alvarez is renowned as the first and only boxer to become an undisputed super middleweight champion, claiming the WBA (Super), WBC, and Ring Magazine titles in 2020, and the IBF and WBO titles in 2021. He is also among a select few who have secured multiple world titles across various weight classes.
5. How many belts has Canelo won?:
Canelo Alvarez has claimed numerous world titles across four weight divisions, from light middleweight to light heavyweight. Currently, he is the undisputed champion in the super middleweight division, holding all four major titles (WBA, WBC, WBO, and IBF) as well as the Ring Magazine championship.