Does Canelo Alvarez Have Irish Roots? Ethnicity, Race and Religion

Canelo Alvarez is one of the P4P kings of boxing. Astonishingly, he started his career way back when he was 15 years old, knocking out grown men. Since then, he has evolved into a complete fighter and is on the verge of making history. The Mexican champion ducks and weaves in the ring, with his trademark ginger hair and freckles—it’s also why he is called ‘Cinnamon’. 

But you can’t deny his look, often associated with the Irish. Ahead of his much-anticipated bout against IBF super middleweight champion William Scull on May 3rd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, let’s take a look at the red-headed pugilist’s nationality and find out whether he is Hispanic, Latino, or Irish. 

Is Canelo Alvarez Irish or Mexican? Ethnicity and nationality

Canelo Alvarez is a proud Mexican fighter. He represents Guadalajara in Mexico, a country known for its history of producing fierce boxing warriors, among whom Canelo is probably the most successful. However, nothing about the pale ginger with freckles screams out ‘Mexican’. In fact, many could, and even have, mistaken him for being Irish.

According to family legend, an ancestor of Canelo fought in the St Patrick’s Brigade of Irish exiles for Mexico in the 1840s war against the United States. Canelo himself has admitted, “There might have been an Irish grandfather somewhere there in my past.” Another telling factor of his possible Irish ancestry is his name.

Canelo’s full name is Santos Saul Alvarez Barragan, and according to the history of his name, the name Barragan is the Mexican spelling of the Irish name, Berrigan. Well, Canelo might have some Irish heritage after all, but officially, his ethnicity is Latin American Spanish.

Where are Canelo Alvarez’s parents from?

Canelo Alvarez’s parents, Santos Alvarez and Ana María Barragán, are originally from the state of Michoacán, Mexico. They later moved to Jalisco in the 1990s in search of better opportunities for their family. Settling in Guadalajara, they started a small business selling ice pops in the San Juan de Dios Market to support their eight children.

Canelo and his siblings often helped by selling the products on public transportation, sometimes earning up to 700 pesos a week. Though the family business no longer exists, Canelo has never forgotten his roots. Today, he financially supports his parents as a gesture of gratitude for their hard work and sacrifices, crediting them for helping lay the foundation for his success in boxing.

Is Canelo Alvarez a Catholic? Religion & more

Canelo Alvarez, the former undisputed super middleweight champion, is a devout Catholic. His faith plays a significant role in his life, evident from his November 2017 visit to Pope Francis in Rome. This trip was deeply personal for Alvarez, reflecting his long-held desire to connect with the Pope. 

His Catholic faith is an integral part of his identity, influencing both his personal values and his approach to his boxing career. Known for his dedication in the ring, Alvarez also embodies a strong sense of spirituality, which he openly integrates into his public life. 

Which languages does Saul Alvarez speak?

For the majority of his career, Canelo has been very professional and quiet during his press conferences and build-up to each fight. He would always speak in Spanish and have a translator alongside him during his press conferences; The Mexican hardly spoke any English. However, a lot has changed recently.

The P4P king started showing a different side to his fans. Recently, Canelo started speaking in English, cracking jokes, and having fun with the media. Fans are loving this new side of Canelo as they get to see his true personality. He seems more confident with the media, all thanks to his advances in learning the English language.

That said, Canelo Alvarez might look like an Irishman, but still, he is a Mexican through and through. Although, as even Canelo claims, there could be some Irish in him because of his ancestors. Do you think Canelo could pass for an Irishman?