Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez got keys to City of Fresno. Here’s how the process works

María G. Ortiz-Briones
·3 min read
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When professional Mexican boxer Saul “Canelo” Álvarez received the ceremonial key to the City of Fresno – the symbolic gesture granting the invitation to come and go into the community – from city manager Georgeanne White last month, many on social media wondered why.

The tradition dates to medieval times when cities were walled and locked, and the key represented the recipient’s freedom to come and go as they pleased.

In modern times, the key is often presented by the mayor or other city officials during special events, such as a visit from a dignitary or to honor a prominent citizen’s milestone.

The Key to Fresno

But when was the first time the key was given out or how many people have received it since then. Is there a criteria to receive the Key or a nomination process?

City of Fresno Spokesperson Sontaya Rose said because the presentation of Keys to the City are at the discretion of each mayor, there are no requirements, criteria or nomination process.

While the city doesn’t have a record of when the first key was given out or how many people have received it, Rose said Dyer, who is wrapping up his first four-year term, has presented Keys to the City to seven individuals including Álvarez.

“I know some mayors were better record keepers than other mayors and I tried to look at when the first keys were given out. We don’t have that information,” Rose said. “Unfortunately, we’re not. It doesn’t appear we’re good historians here.”

According to Rose, Dyer’s first key was given out in 2021 in memory of Robert “Crusty” Smittcamp, renowned Fresno philanthropist who died in March 2021 at 79.

Other recipients:

▪ Dr Paul Larence Binion II, community leader and senior pastor at Westside Church of God (May 2022);

▪ Margarita Rocha, executive director of Centro La Familia Advocacy Service, (May 2023);

▪ Posthumously to Mike Reynolds, a Fresno father who helped pass California’s Three Strikes sentencing law who died July 2023 (August 2023);

▪ Markus Lewe, mayor of the city of Münster, Germany, Fresno’s German sister city (August 2023);

▪ Kurt Maddesn, CEO of Career Nexux (May 2024).

Professional Mexican boxer Saul “Canelo” Álvarez received the Key to the City of Fresno – the symbolic gesture granting the invitation to come and go into the community - from city manager Georgeanne White on June 21.
Professional Mexican boxer Saul “Canelo” Álvarez received the Key to the City of Fresno – the symbolic gesture granting the invitation to come and go into the community - from city manager Georgeanne White on June 21.

Rose said the cost of the key is minimal but didn’t provide a monetary amount.

Honoring the Guadalajara native

While some wondered what the boxer did for the city or if the city was giving out keys to any random famous people on social media, others congratulated the champion.

There is a connection the multiple world championship in four weight classes (from light middleweight to light heavyweight) and the Valley’s largest city.

Álvarez, who celebrated his 34th birthday on Thursday (July 18), was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Fresno and Guadalajara became Sister Cities in 2022.

Álvarez was in Fresno as the keynote speaker for the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation’s Night of Champions Gala on June 21 at Table Mountain Casino. It was the foundation’s 20th anniversary.

White presented Álvarez the key in place of Mayor Jerry Dyer, who was out of town.

The inscription included with the key presented to Álvarez reads: “This key symbolizes more than just the ability to enter our city, it also represents your journey from the streets of our Sister City Guadalajara to the pinnacle of boxing glory. It is a testament to your unwavering dedication, your remarkable talent, your relentless fighting spirit, and an enduring connection to Fresno. You have not only captured multiple world championships, but you have also captured the respect and admiration of the Fresno community.”