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“You Need to Start Really Young”: Boxing Superstar Canelo Alvarez Gives Up on Golf Dream Following Harsh Reality Check

Published 04/13/2024, 11:00 AM EDT

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The undisputed super middleweight champion, known for his ferocious in-ring presence, has surprisingly found a new passion on the fairway. Gone are the days when he dismissed golf as boring. Now, Canelo Alvarez is a self-proclaimed golf addict, dedicating hours to perfecting his swing. This unexpected love affair began during the pandemic. With extra time on his hands, Alvarez decided to give golf a shot.

Alvarez, a natural athlete, took to the game with ease, and it wasn’t long before he was challenging par. But golf isn’t just about competition for Alvarez. He credits the sport with improving his mental focus, a crucial asset in the brutal world of boxing. At the same time, he recently expressed that he only plays golf for fun. With the Masters Tournament currently ongoing, Canelo revealed if he sees a future for himself in the golf world once he is done with boxing. Well, no, he says.

Canelo Alvarez plays golf for the fun of it

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In a recent interview, Alvarez addressed his love for golf, acknowledging it as a cherished pastime but not a future career path. “Just playing for fun,” Alvarez said, downplaying any aspirations of professional golfing. “Just playing tournaments for fun and having fun. I really enjoy golf.” His enthusiasm for the sport is evident, a welcome escape from the rigors of boxing.

via Imago

However, Alvarez is a realist. He recognizes the dedication required to reach the highest levels of professional golf. “But to be a golfer, you need to start really young,” he admitted. Respecting the immense talent and training needed to compete at the top, Alvarez chooses honesty over ambition. “So I need to be true with myself,” he declared, definitively shutting down the idea of a full-time golf career.

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This doesn’t mean Alvarez will be hanging up his clubs anytime soon. “I’m gonna enjoy golf a lot,” he assured fans. “I’m gonna play tournaments. Not tournaments I can’t play, but I’m just going to have fun,” he clarified, likely referring to elite professional events. Canelo believes his time to excel in professional golf is almost over. However, he definitely isn’t parting his ways with the sport, as he said. In another conversation about golf, he also revealed his desire to play golf with Tiger Woods one day.

Alvarez wanted to make it into the PGA Tour

[Golf] is the hardest sport,” Canelo confessed, a surprising statement from a man who’s dominated the boxing world. He acknowledged the frustrating inconsistency of the sport, a stark contrast to the controlled power he wields in the ring. This new pursuit is a test of a different kind, a mental and physical battle against the unforgiving nature of the game. While boxing remains his present focus, Canelo’s eyes are set on the future.

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He envisions adding to his boxing legacy before embarking on a golfing odyssey. “After three or four more years boxing,” he revealed, hinting at a potential timeline for his green jacket dreams. He also added, “It would be amazing if I could make the [PGA] Tour. Fantastic if I ever got to play in a major.” His dedication to studying the likes of Tiger Woods, whose swing he called “perfection,” hinted at the relentless work ethic he wished to bring to the course.

Canelo stated, “I study Tiger’s swing. Perfection. Only ever changes for a reason like some specific shot. I would love to play a round with Mr. Woods one day.” So, even though he knows he is just doing this for fun, but if he gets the opportunity to play in the big leagues, Alvarez wouldn’t be backing down. What do you think about Alvarez’s love for golf? Let us know in the comments section.

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Written by:

Chirag Radhyan

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Chirag Radhyan is a senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports. Having authored close to 2K articles, he is a live-coverage specialist, contributing to the detailed reportage of live boxing events ranging from the Jermell Charlo vs Canelo Alvarez bout to Ryan Garcia vs Gervonta Davis. Moreover, his coverage of the off-court drama between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury received widespread appreciation from readers.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai