Canelo Álvarez: Why He Never Wrestled, His Surprising Golf Passion with Steph Curry, and the Business of the Green

Despite his worldwide fame in the ring, Álvarez reveals his start in boxing was purely a family affair, not a boyhood dream inspired by television. He also confirmed that, unlike many athletes, he never had an interest in professional wrestling.

When asked if he grew up wrestling or watching WWF/WWE, Álvarez was clear: “I never thought about it. I never did think about that. I loved boxing.”

In fact, his dedication to the sweet science came from an unexpected source. “You know what? I didn’t start boxing because I watched boxing. I started boxing because of my older brother,” Álvarez said. His love for watching the sport grew later. “Then I started watching boxing because my trainer used to give me DVD’s to watch fighters like Hector Roman and ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley, Julio Ceasar Chavez and I started to watch more boxing.”

Pre-Fight Rhythms: Rap, Hip-Hop, and Mexican Music

Like any modern athlete, the undisputed super-middleweight champion has a playlist to get him focused for a big fight, blending international and Mexican sounds.

On what’s on his playlist going into a big fight, Álvarez shared: “I like rap. I like hip-hop; I like Cristian Barros — Mexican music.”

Life Off the Canvas: The Business of Golf

When he is not training or competing, Álvarez’s passion turns to the links, a sport he has taken up with impressive dedication and skill. He loves watching golf and admits, “I can play a little bit. My best is a -74.”

His enthusiasm for golf has introduced him to a new circle of high-profile athletes from other sports, whom he admires for their skill on the course.

Álvarez mentioned other non-golf athletes he watches: “Steph Curry, Mardy Fish, and Tony Romo are really good golfers. I already played with Steph Curry and Mardy Fish and all those guys and those guys are my friends, but they’re REALLY good golfers too.”

More than just a game, the golf course has become a significant place for camaraderie and business for the boxing great.

“Really good friends and actually we all do business together,” Álvarez explained. He added a common adage that speaks to the deeper connections made on the course: “They say in golf that you that the real people are in front of you, so it’s a good place to get to know people!”