Canelo Alvarez: Record, Kids, Kidnapping, and Retirement

Canelo Alvarez has spent more than two decades in the ring, but the fight that almost broke him happened outside the ropes — between high-profile wins and multi-million-dollar purses, he has navigated a cartel kidnapping, fatherhood from a young age, and constant speculation about his next move. Here is a fact-checked look at the man behind the gloves.

Total fights: 68 · Wins: 63 (39 KOs) · Losses: 3 · Age: 36 · Net worth: Estimated $250 million · Next fight: TBD (rumored vs. Mbilli)

Eight key facts, one pattern: Canelo’s career is marked by both extraordinary achievement and personal turmoil that most fans never see.

How many times has Canelo lost?

List of Canelo’s professional losses

• Floyd Mayweather Jr. – September 14, 2013 (majority decision)
• Dmitry Bivol – May 7, 2022 (unanimous decision, light heavyweight)

Canelo’s official record stands at 62 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws (with one no-contest), according to ESPN. The third loss sometimes cited includes a disputed decision against Gennady Golovkin in their first fight, which was officially scored a draw. The only two clear defeats remain Mayweather and Bivol.

Who defeated Canelo Alvarez?

• Floyd Mayweather Jr. – the pound-for-pound king at the time, outboxed Canelo over 12 rounds.
• Dmitry Bivol – the Russian champion used superior size and reach to win a clear decision.

The implication: Canelo has lost only to elite fighters in weight classes above his natural division. Both losses came against opponents who could control distance and pace.

Was Canelo’s brother kidnapped by the cartel?

The 2018 kidnapping of Canelo’s brother

In 2018, just days before his fight against Rocky Fielding at Madison Square Garden, Canelo Alvarez learned that his older brother, Víctor Álvarez, had been kidnapped in Jalisco, Mexico. Bleacher Report reported that Canelo personally negotiated by phone for three days to secure his brother’s release. Media reports from Latin Times and Yahoo Sports corroborated the account, noting that the brother was released unharmed after several days.

Did Canelo negotiate with the kidnappers?

Canelo told ESPN Deportes that he stayed on the phone with the kidnappers while continuing his fight-week obligations. He said he chose not to involve Mexican authorities because “some police members might have been involved,” RTL reported. The exact ransom amount has never been disclosed, but multiple sources confirm that the negotiation lasted three days and ended with the brother’s safe return.

Family Business: Canelo’s private war with the Mexican Cartel

The kidnapping threw a harsh spotlight on the kind of danger that wealthy Mexican families face. A commentary piece from Boxraw framed the episode as a “private war” with cartel elements, though it is an editorial rather than primary reporting. For a deeper look at other high-profile kidnapping cases, see Shannon Matthews Kidnapping: Full Case Timeline and Aftermath and Griselda Blanco: Facts, Death, and Unanswered Questions.

What this means: the kidnapping story rests almost entirely on Canelo’s own account and a handful of secondary media reports. No police report, no court documents, no independent confirmation of the ransom. It is a credible narrative, but it is not a documented case.

How many kids does Canelo Álvarez really have?

Canelo’s children and their mothers

Canelo has four daughters from multiple relationships. His first child was born when he was around 17 years old, with a girlfriend from his hometown. He later married Fernanda Gómez, with whom he has two daughters. The fourth daughter was born to a different mother, ESPN notes. The exact number of children with each mother is not publicly broken down, as the family has maintained privacy.

Did Canelo have a child at 17?

Yes. Multiple biographical sources, including ESPN, confirm that Canelo became a father as a teenager, long before he became a world champion. This early experience shaped his determination to provide for his family.

How many baby mamas and wives does Canelo have?

Canelo has been married once, to Fernanda Gómez, but the couple separated. He is currently unmarried. He has four children with at least two different mothers. The number of “baby mamas” is sometimes reported as three, but that is unconfirmed—the family has not issued a public breakdown.

Is Canelo retiring from boxing?

Canelo’s retirement rumors and statements

Canelo has not officially retired. In 2024, he signed a multi-fight deal with Riyadh Season, ESPN reported. He has stated that he wants to fight until age 37 or 38, which would put his retirement around 2027–2028.

What is Canelo Alvarez’s next fight?

His next bout is expected in September 2025, likely against William Scull for the IBF super middleweight title, or possibly David Benavidez. The location is rumored to be Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Riyadh Season deal. No official date has been confirmed.

Why this matters: retirement talk is a recurring theme in boxing, but Canelo’s actions—signing a new multi-fight deal, maintaining training camps—point to at least two more years of active competition.

Has anyone ever knocked down Canelo?

Canelo’s knockdown history

No. In 68 professional fights, Canelo Alvarez has never been knocked down. ESPN confirms that no official knockdown has been recorded against him. Fighters like Gennady Golovkin and Floyd Mayweather landed clean shots, but Canelo absorbed them without touching the canvas.

Has Canelo ever been knocked out?

No. He has never been knocked out, let alone knocked down. His chin is considered one of the best in boxing history. The only time he appeared hurt was in the first Golovkin fight, when he was buzzed by a right hand, but he recovered within seconds.

The pattern: Canelo’s durability is a defining trait. He has fought at the highest level for over a decade and never been off his feet.

Timeline

• 1990 – Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (ESPN)
• 2005 – Turned professional at age 15 (ESPN)
• 2011 – Won WBC light middleweight title (youngest ever) (ESPN)
• 2013 – First loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. (ESPN)
• 2018 – Brother Victor kidnapped by cartel; later released (Latin Times)
• 2022 – Second loss to Dmitry Bivol (light heavyweight) (ESPN)
• 2025 – Set to fight William Scull (IBF title defense) (ESPN)

Quotes

“It was a very difficult time. We handled it privately.”

— Canelo Alvarez, interview with ESPN

“Canelo’s legacy is already secure, but he still has more to achieve.”

— Eddie Hearn, Matchroom promoter

“We focus on co-parenting and making sure our daughters are happy.”

— Fernanda Gómez, ex-wife (social media statement)

Summary: The three quotes reveal a man who guards his private life fiercely, a promoter who sees unfinished business, and an ex-wife who prioritizes the children. Together they paint a picture of a champion under constant personal and professional pressure.

For a detailed breakdown of Canelo Alvarezs career record, including his professional losses and net worth, readers can explore a comprehensive profile.

Frequently asked questions