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Home » Canelito to Canelo: How Santos Saul Alvarez got his nickname

Canelito to Canelo: How Santos Saul Alvarez got his nickname

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Santos Saul Alvarez is far more recognizable by his Canelo moniker these days. But how did Canelo get the nickname that stayed with him all these years and became synonymous with boxing?

Alvarez explained his unique nickname given to him during his younger years.

Born Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán to a fighting family, Canelo changed his name in the sport in 2014.

Since then, the former pound-for-pound king has been one of the only boxers in history to be known by a single name.

Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson are two of just a handful. Both are recognizable by their surname only.

How did Saul Alvarez get his Canelo nickname?

So how did Canelo eventually become mononymous? – It all started back in the gym when he was just a kid.

“My nickname was given to me by my trainer Jose ‘Chepo’ Reynoso, when I first started training at Reynoso’s Gym. It was because of my red hair,” Alvarez explained.

“First, they called me ‘Canelito’ [Little Cinnamon] because I was still very young, around 12- or 13 years old.

“As I grew older, it changed to ‘Canelo.’

“Since I started fighting in the U.S. as a professional on U.S. television, I dropped the ‘Saul’ altogether because it has become a brand name. It is my persona in the ring and out of it.

“Some people may not know that I named my daughter Canela. I told her: ‘Once you grow up, you will understand what your name means. You will be proud of it,'” he added.

Canelo also named his daughter Emily Cinammon after his moniker. The pair are very close, and Canelo had her when he was very young.

Emily posted on social media regarding her famous dad: I promise that I’ll be by your side through good and bad times. I’ll be there for you no matter what.”

She has been known to be ringside at Canelo’s fights and is a keep equestrian participant.

Will she be present when Canelo fights next September 30 against Jermell Charlo?

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