Canelo Alvarez gives his biggest hint yet about retirement before his fight with Christin Mbilli
Canelo Alvarez has hinted that he might retire after his upcoming fight with Christian Mbilli. On October 31, the boxing star will step back into the ring in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, aiming to win the WBC super middleweight title.
He’s up against the current champ, Mbilli, who’s defending his belt for the first time after being promoted to full champion when Terrence Crawford suddenly retired last year.
This fight adds to Canelo’s impressive career, which spans over 20 years and includes 68 fights with many world titles. Now 36, many fans wonder if winning this fight could be the perfect way for him to wrap up his boxing journey.
As the big day approaches, Canelo has hinted that retirement might be near. In a chat with CBS Mornings, he said, “When I’m in training and my body doesn’t respond the same after taking a lot of punches, that’s when I’ll know it’s time to stop. I won’t keep fighting if I’m not at my best.”
He also shared that while he still feels good, there isn’t much left he wants to achieve in boxing. “I have other goals outside the ring,” he said.
Last October, Canelo had elbow surgery—his third in seven years—which made some people worry about his future. But he’s not done yet. On The Ariel Helwani Show, he explained why he keeps fighting even though he’s made enough money.
“Boxing makes me feel alive. I was born for this. I love the challenge of preparing for different opponents and the tough training. Even though I don’t need the money, boxing keeps me motivated,” he said.
When asked how many fights he might have left, Canelo answered, “Maybe four more. I’m focused until the end. After retiring, I’ll still stay active with exercise and boxing, but I have other things I want to focus on.”
He added, “It’s not about money for me. I’ve earned plenty already. I fight because I love the sport. I’ve done almost everything in boxing.”
No matter when Canelo decides to hang up his gloves, he will be remembered as one of the all-time greats.