Canelo Alvarez, who’s defending his undisputed super middleweight title against Terence Crawford this weekend, is the youngest of his seven siblings and hails from a family of boxers. However, the undisputed champion wasn’t blessed with an easy road to reach where he is today. Coming from a middle-class family in Mexico, young Alvarez had to scratch and claw to become a world champion boxer. His parents ‌separated when he was just 15. 

However, Canelo Alvarez always had the love and support of his parents, and even today, his father frequently visits his training camps. Despite being a global superstar, Alvarez has always remained low-key about his personal life. Although the media respects that privacy, fans have always wanted to know more about the Mexican giant. So, here’s everything about Canelo Alvarez’s family, especially his father and his mother.

Meet Santos Alvarez, Canelo Alvarez’s father

Canelo’s father, Santos Alvarez, played a pivotal role in shaping the disciplined and hardworking values that have defined his son’s illustrious boxing career. Originally from Michoacan, Santos moved his family to Jalisco in the 1990s, seeking a better life for his wife and Canelo’s mother, Ana Maria Barragan, and their eight children. To support the family, Santos and Ana Maria started selling ice pops at the San Juan de Dios Market, a humble venture that also involved Canelo Alvarez and his siblings.

Canelo has often spoken about those early years when he and his brothers would sell ice pops on public transportation, sometimes earning up to 700 pesos a week. Despite their modest lifestyle, Santos instilled in his children a strong sense of discipline and perseverance, values that would later fuel Canelo’s rise to boxing stardom.

Though Santos and Ana Maria divorced in 2005, just as Canelo made his professional boxing debut, the family bond remains strong. Canelo continues to support his parents financially as a token of gratitude for their sacrifices. Santos Alvarez’s influence is evident in Canelo’s relentless work ethic, humility, and deep appreciation for his roots, which have remained integral to his success. Now, let’s take a look at the details of his mother.

Who is Canelo Alvarez’s mother?

Ana Maria Barragan, Canelo Alvarez’s mother, is reportedly of Irish origin, which is said to be the reason behind Alvarez’s distinctive red hair. Despite her background being a point of curiosity, Canelo has rarely spoken publicly about his parents. However, Ana Maria has often shared her pride in her son’s accomplishments, both in the ring and as a person. She remains a supportive figure, even admitting to the anxiety she feels before his fights, though she trusts in his success.

Canelo Alvarez, now married to Fernanda Gomez, is a father of three daughters and a son from different relationships. As his boxing career reaches new heights, Ana Maria continues to stand by him, unshaken by the criticism he faces. She emphasizes that his success is a result of his discipline and hard work, while her unwavering faith in him remains a constant in his life.

That said, Canelo Alvarez’s bout against Terence Crawford is one of the most anticipated fights of the year and perhaps the biggest fight in recent memory. It remains to be seen if ‘Saul’ can maintain his winning ways or if ‘Bud’ scores the upset of the century. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.