Why is Saul Alvarez called Canelo? How did he get the nickname and what is his real name?
Mexican boxer has captured the imagination as he starts to dominate the middle and super-middleweight division
SAUL 'CANELO' ALVAREZ is one of the most talked-about boxers in the world.
The Mexican warrior - who takes on Sergey Kovalev tonight - has a record of 52 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in his 55-fight career. But did you know that Canelo isn't actually part of his real name? Here, we look into this further.
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Why is Saul Alvarez called 'Canelo'?
The world "Canelo" has actually been shortened from the Spanish world "canelito".
This means "little cinnamon" in Spanish.
The boxer is known by this nickname because of his red hair and freckles.
His real full name is Santos Saul Alvarez Barragan.
Who gave Saul Alvarez the nickname 'Canelo'?
The fighting pride of Mexico was given the nickname by his trainer Jose Reynoso.
Alvarez used to train at Reynoso's Gym, and was given the nickname when he was 12.
It was Reynoso who decided to shorten the original "canelito" down to "Canelo".
How has the nickname helped him in his career?
Reynoso realised that Alvarez's look was perhaps different to the rugged, war-torn appearance of some of Mexico's legendary fighters.
It was seen as a clever plot to brand him to the US boxing scene.
A smooth-skinned ginger pretty boy was a surefire way to win fans outside of the ring.