All mothers across the world, regardless of race, would find it hard supporting their child’s boxing career. While they might end up being there for them if they truly have a passion for it, it would be hard for them to actively watch their fights whether or not they are the ones getting beaten or doing the beating. For Ana Maria Barragan, however, she appears to be cut from a different cloth as seven of her boys are professional boxers. The most popular of the lot is Canelo Alvarez, the first boxer in history to become the undisputed champion at super middleweight.
Who Is Canelo Alvarez’s Mother?
Ana Maria Barragan is a Mexican woman, however, she is believed to be of Irish descent. This is because she has red (ginger) hair and Ireland has the highest per capita percentage of redheads in the world.
In the mid-1800s, Irish soldiers found their way to Mexico as a part of the Saint Patrick’s Battalion that fought for the country in the Mexican-American War. These soldiers remained in Mexico and so anyone in the country with red hair is generally believed to be a descendant of them. Ana’s son Canelo gave credence to this claim when he revealed in an interview that they might have been an Irish grandfather somewhere back in his past.
Ana Maria Barragan Married Santos Alvarez Sometime In The 1970s
While the exact date of Ana Maria Barragan’s marriage to Santos Alvarez is not known, it is believed that they wedded some time in the 1970s. During the course of their marriage, the couple had eight children; seven boys and a girl. It is widely written that all of Ana’s boys ended up becoming professional boxers. They made history when all of them appeared to fight on the same card; with four being victorious and three losing their fights.
The couple first made their home in Los Reyes, Michoacán before later moving to the outskirts of Guadalajara, Jalisco where some of their children, including Canelo, were born. The Alvarez family have since made their home at Juanacatlán, Jalisco where they owned a farm.
According to a few reports, Ana Maria Barragan and her husband separated in 2005 when Canelo was 15 years old. It is not clear what led to the separation or if it is indeed true. Regardless, Ana continues to support her children as they conquer the world of boxing.
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Meet Some Of Ana Maria Barragan’s Children

1. Rigoberto Álvarez Barragán
- Nickname: El Español “The Spaniard”
- Date of Birth: 20 January 1978
- Fighting Weights: Light Middleweight, Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
- Height: 180 cm (5 feet 11 inches)
- Reach: 189 cm (74 in)
- Stance: Southpaw
Rigoberto Álvarez is one of the older children of Ana Maria Barragan. He is notably a former WBC FECARBOX super middleweight and interim WBA light middleweight champion. His fighting career lasted for eleven years as he made his debut in the year 2000 and retired in 2011.
In 2010, Rigo became a contender for different championships. The first one was for the WBC Latino middleweight title in January against fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Rubio. While he lost that fight, he would go on to win the WBA interim light middleweight title a few months later. He fought Japanese fighter Nobuhiro Ishida for the title and was successful.
Alvarez’s next fight was against Austin Trout for the vacant WBA (Regular) light middleweight title. He lost the fight as well as his next one against Anthony Mundine for the WBA interim light middleweight title.
2. Ricardo Álvarez Barragán
- Nickname: Dinamita
- Date of Birth: 21 November 1981
- Fighting Weights: Lightweight, Light Welterweight, Welterweight
- Height: 1.70 m (5 feet 7 inches)
- Reach: 185 cm (73 in)
- Stance: Orthodox
Ricardo’s boxing debut came on the 8th of February, 2008 in a fight again Luis Medina. He was victorious through unanimous decision. He has since gone on to compete in a total of 30 fights, with a boxing record of wins – 24 (14 KO), losses – 3, draws – 3.
3. Ramón Alvarez Barragán
- Nickname: Inocente
- Date of Birth: 28 May 1986
- Fighting Weights: Welterweight, Light Middleweight
- Height: 1.73 m (5 feet 8 inches)
- Reach: 183 cm (72 in)
- Stance: Orthodox
There is not much that is known about Ramon. According to his boxing record, he has fought in 41 total fights, having a record of 29 wins (16 KO), 8 losses, 3 draws – 3, and 1 no contest.
4. Santos Saúl Álvarez Barragán – Canelo
- Nickname: Canelo “Cinnamon”
- Date of Birth: 18 JUly 1990
- Fighting Weights: Welterweight, Light Middleweight, Middleweight, Super Middleweight, Light Heavyweight
- Height: 5 feet 7+1⁄2 inches (171 cm)
- Reach: 179 cm (70+1⁄2 in)
- Stance: Orthodox
Canelo Alvarez is undoubtedly the most popular and most successful of all of Ana Maria Barragan’s children. He stands out because of his red hair, similar to that of his mother.
The youngest Alvarez child began boxing as a 13-year-old after watching his older brother Rigo. Canelo was so good by the time he turned 15 that he became a professional. He showed a glimpse of what the future held for him as he knocked out eleven of his first 13 documented opponents who were all significantly older than him. Canelo would go on to win multiple world championships in four weight classes, including unified titles in three weight classes and lineal titles in two.
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