Canelo Alvarez Business Empire Outside The Ring: A Look at His Major Investments and Career Earnings

Saul Canelo Alvarez, standing as the fifth-highest-paid athlete on Forbes’ 2023 list with $110 million in pretax earnings, is a prominent figure in the exclusive group achieving nine figures in a single year. This feat places him among sports icons like Roger Federer, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A member of the Forbes 30 Under 30 class of 2018, Alvarez’s financial prowess is undeniable. Forbes estimates his career earnings to be nearly $600 million, highlighting not only his boxing excellence but also his business acumen.

 Canelo Alvarez: Business Tycoon

Canelo Alvarez’s influence extends beyond the boxing arena, as evidenced by his burgeoning business empire. In the last two years, he has strategically launched Canelo Energy, a chain of five gas stations, and Upper, a network of 20 convenience stores.

Recent additions include VMC, a tequila-based canned cocktail, and Yaoca, a venture producing sports drinks and supplements. Despite the combined revenue of these enterprises being less than $50 million and their estimated total value under $50 million due to low-margin operations, some ventures show substantial growth potential.

Legacy Beyond the Ring

While many athletes endorse products for quick financial gains, Alvarez is selective in his endorsements, currently having one major sponsorship deal with Anheuser-Busch worth an estimated $2 million annually. His approach to business extends to his ventures, where he leaves it to customers to discover his connection through inside-joke Easter eggs. For instance, his convenience stores, branded Upper for “uppercut,” offer an exclusive line of coffee called Santos, representing Álvarez’s given name as well as his father’s. His gas stations use a fuel additive called P4P, symbolizing “pound for pound.” Even his canned cocktails, featuring his image and signature, carry the name VMC, standing for “Viva Mexico, Cabrones,” an expression he shouts after victories, translating to “long live Mexico, dudes.”

Alvarez reveals a sentimental side in his investments, buying the bus line where he once sold popsicles and planning to open ice cream shops in the U.S.

Canelo also possesses a series of taco establishments in his homeland, Mexico. This business endeavor enables him to stay connected with his heritage while also contributing significantly to his income. It extends beyond mere gastronomy; it’s about constructing a business empire.

Read More: $200 Million Worth Canelo Alvarez’s Business and Investment Portfolio: Taco Restaurant, Partnership With Hennessy, Tequila Brand, and More

His business-savvy approach also involves building connections with mentors like Carlos Slim Helú and Olegario Vázquez Raña actively overseeing diverse ventures Alvarez engages in.

Canelo’s biggest Purse from boxing

Canelo secured $12 million in his 2013 bout against Floyd Mayweather. In the 2016 match against Amir Khan, Canelo’s earnings amounted to approximately $25 million. When he clinched the title of undisputed super middleweight champion against Caleb Plant, Canelo’s purse reached a staggering $40 million.

For his initial clash with Gennadiy Golovkin, Canelo garnered $40 million, and in the rematch, his earnings totaled $30 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth. In the trilogy fight, he pocketed around $45 million, and his reported salary soared to $100 million, inclusive of pay-per-view sales.

Broader visions

Beyond the ring, Álvarez sets his sights on a new goal: becoming a billionaire. While only four athletes have achieved a ten-figure fortune, with LeBron James and Tiger Woods attaining this milestone while still active, Alvarez, with an estimated net worth of at least $275 million by Forbes, aspires to join this exclusive club.

Acknowledging the formidable task ahead, Álvarez’s ambition reflects a desire to leave a lasting legacy, not only in boxing but also in the realm of financial success.

Alvarez collaborates strategically, emphasizing the significance of proving success from humble beginnings. His journey, from assisting his father, a popsicle vendor, at age 7 to becoming a millionaire at 20, exemplifies his entrepreneurial spirit. 

His hands-on approach, and dedication in the ring and beyond is what has led him down the yellow brick road of success. Canelo undoubtedly is one of the best boxers of our generation, and now has paved his way towards becoming one of the best businessmen as well.

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