Courtesy NASCAR Communications
LOS ANGELES (Jan. 29, 2023) – NASCAR announced today that Mexican professional boxer and current super middleweight undisputed champion of the world Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will serve as the Grand Marshal for the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum on Feb. 4.
“Canelo is synonymous with strength, victory and triumph,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President, Racing Development and Strategy. “He’s a fan favorite in Los Angeles and Mexico, and we’re honored to have him give the command to start engines for the Busch Light Clash.”
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico as the youngest of eight siblings, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez grew up in a family of fighters where he utilized boxing as a method to take out his frustrations on those who teased him for his appearance. As a result, he found his way to the renowned Julian Magdaleno Gym, where the father-and-son training team of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso quickly took notice and nicknamed him, “Canelo,” the Spanish word for “Cinnamon.” Canelo thus began his amateur career at the age of 13 where he would go 44-2 (12KOs) and earn Junior Mexican National Champion honors. And after only two years, he was led to turn pro as they could no longer find amateur opponents to face him.
Since then, Canelo has turned his passion into one of the most successful fighting careers of all-time. With a professional record of 60-2-2 (39KOs), Canelo has won titles in four different divisions, including light heavyweight, middleweight, junior middleweight, and the first and only boxer in history to become undisputed champion at super middleweight. He has faced an array of formidable opponents, including boxing legends such as Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, Amir Khan, Miguel Cotto, and Daniel Jacobs. Known for his versatility, tactical skills, exceptional punching power, and high fight IQ, Canelo has become the blueprint for boxing excellence.
On Sunday, Feb. 4, racing begins on the Coliseum’s temporary, quarter-mile asphalt track at 1:30 p.m. with the NASCAR Mexico Series’ King Taco LA Batalla en El Coliseo followed by the NASCAR Cup Series’ Busch Light Clash at 5 p.m.
The third-annual Busch Light Clash is the NASCAR Cup Series’ season-opening exhibition featuring the sport’s top stars. NASCAR on FOX will once again carry the broadcast for the Busch Light Clash while the NASCAR Mexico Series Race will be on FS1, Fox Deportes, Fox Sports 3 in Mexico, and available pan regionally on Claro Sports and the D Motors channel on DirecTV.
A single ticket purchased is good for both races, and fans are encouraged to get their tickets now while supplies last by visiting www.nascarclash.com.
