By Sam Volz: Canelo Alvarez says he wants to become a professional golfer after his boxing career is over, and he’s hoping to make it on the PGA tour.
If Canelo’s mind isn’t focused on boxing, he could lose on Saturday night against John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) because this guy is plenty motivated, and he doesn’t have a hobby that is taking him away from the gym.
Canelo’s former promoter Oscar De La Hoya, believes his compulsion to play golf has eroded his skills inside the ring, as the Mexican star has been putting in much time on the course. He also watches a lot of the sport on TV.
Some would say that Canelo is delusional and wasting his time because he’s never going to be able to compete with top golfing talents, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, and Rory McIlroy, because those guys have been doing the sport since they were young.
Golf is considered a rich man’s sport, as many wealthy like to play in exclusive country clubs where one needs to be rich and accepted.
With Canelo’s $200 million net worth, he can join the best country clubs for golf, such as Augusta, Pine Valley, Cypress Point, and Seminole, to name just a few. Those are very prestigious country clubs with exclusive memberships that are not easy to join.
“We’ll see. It’d be amazing if I could make the [PGA] Tour. It would be fantastic if I ever got to play in a major. Almost everyone says it can’t be done because I started so late,” said Canelo to the MailSport.
“I study Tiger’s swing. Perfection. Only ever changes for a reason, like some specific shot. I would love to play a round with Mr. Woods one day,” Canelo said about his wish to play with pro golfer Tiger Woods.
When you get a fighter talking about their life after boxing, that’s a red flag that they will retire soon. It won’t be surprising that his fight against Ryder on Saturday might be Canelo’s last if he loses.
“I don’t care one bit about Oscar [De La Hoya. I don’t listen to a word from him. I don’t care about anything he says about me. He’s a whoosh. He lives inside some strange bubble of his own. Away from the real world,” said Canelo in reaction to De La Hoya saying that his skills are eroding due to his obsession with golf.
