Canelo Alvarez Confirms Retirement Plans at 37 After Boxing Career Milestones

Canelo Alvarez, the celebrated Mexican boxing superstar, has announced plans to retire from professional boxing at age 37, indicating he has just a few more years left in the ring. Despite still feeling physically capable and enjoying the sport, Alvarez has emphasized that his decision is not driven by money or legacy, but rather a personal timeline to exit on his own terms. He is set to finish his career under a lucrative four-fight deal with Saudi adviser Turki Alalshikh, with whom he intends to make his final fight, potentially fulfilling a dream to fight in Japan beforehand. Alvarez's impending retirement has implications for the boxing world, notably his upcoming September 13 bout against Terence Crawford, who remains uncertain about his own future in the sport. Crawford, a five-division world champion, faces the challenge of defeating Alvarez to achieve historic milestones but is noncommittal about career plans beyond that fight. Alvarez's exit also reflects broader shifts in boxing's global landscape, as his alignment with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East marks a significant power move beyond the sport itself.