Throwback To Saul Canelo Alvarez' Professional Debut Aged Just 15

At 29-years-old Saul Canelo Alvarez is probably the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world and he's been fighting for more than half his life already, despite his young age.

On November 2nd Canelo defeated Sergey Kovalev to claim a third world title at three different weights, whilst continuing to hold the other two, and confirming himself as one of the world's best boxers.

Canelo's journey to that position started all the way back in October 2005, when he was just 15. The Mexican faced Abraham Gonzalez, making just his second professional appearance, and stopped him in the fourth and final round.

Gonzalez had lost to Marco Antonio Diaz in his first professional fight and, despite being Alvarez's senior by three years, couldn't earn his first win against his fellow teenager.

The Mexican's time in professional boxing only lasted 11 fights and ended in 2013, with only one win to his name and a draw.

For Canelo it was the start of an incredible career to date. He would fight eight more times before the end of 2006, with the first draw of his record coming against Jorge Juarez.

As the opponents got harder the results didn't change with Alvarez going on to make his record 35-0-1 before earning himself a first world title fight, against Matthew Hatton for the vacant WBC light middleweight title.

After winning that first title he made six successful defences, adding the WBA title in the last one against Austin Trout, before his only loss to date against Floyd Mayweather in September 2013.

Speaking this week Canelo claimed he would beat Mayweather if the pair had a rematch now, saying, "It's different now. I'm [a] different fighter.

"I think he's good too but I'm a different fighter now. Maybe [it would be a] different fight."

Since the loss Alvarez has had 12 fights, winning all but his drawn first fight with Gennady Golovkin, winning back the WBC middleweight title and adding world titles at super middleweight and light heavyweight.

After the win against Kovalev it's not certain what will be next for the man from Guadalajara but it's likely that he'll add another win to his incredible talent, talent that's been there since he was just 15.

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Topics: Saul Canelo Alvarez, Boxing News, GGG, Saul Alvarez, Gennady Golovkin, Eddie Hearn, Canelo

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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