Mexican Boxing Legend Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez Grants Wish to 14-Year-Old Fan in First Ever “Mi Deseo” Special Airing Friday, October 11 on ESPN Deportes

On Friday, October 11, at 9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes will present Mi Deseo, Un Especial de SportsCenter, the network’s first-ever, Spanish-language one-hour special from the “My Wish” series, featuring heartwarming stories of athletes fulfilling the wishes of children with critical illnesses. Hosted by SportsCenter anchor and sports commentator, Cristina Alexander, the show includes a powerful new story where boxing champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez grants the wish of 14-year-old Alejandro Merino from Arizona.

Alejandro’s love for boxing began at a young age when he would watch matches with his great-grandfather. His dream has always been to meet his idol, Canelo Álvarez, and train alongside him. That dream becomes a reality in this episode, as Canelo welcomes Alejandro to his training camp, giving him the chance to learn from the legendary boxer and his team.

In addition to Canelo’s story, Mi Deseo will revisit several other unforgettable moments from the series, offering viewers the chance to look back at some of the most memorable wishes.

Other Mi Deseo stories featured include:

• San Francisco 49ers: Levi, a young cancer survivor from Kentucky, is honored by his favorite NFL team after beating cancer. The 49ers roll out the red carpet in celebration of his strength and determination.
• Freddie Freeman and the Los Angeles Dodgers: Gunnar, a passionate baseball fan dealing with a respiratory illness, meets his hero, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, and plays catch at Dodger Stadium.
• Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels: Seven-year-old Eli, who was born with a heart condition, fulfills his dream of playing catch and receiving personal coaching from Angels star Mike Trout.
• Tom Brady and the New England Patriots: A 2013 Mi Deseo story is revisited, featuring Eduardo Martinez, a young fan with pulmonary hypertension, who scored a touchdown during a New England Patriots practice with quarterback Tom Brady.

ESPN and The Walt Disney Company have had a long-standing relationship with Make-A-Wish, a global nonprofit that creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Through the My Wish series, ESPN has delivered over 80 sports-themed wish stories, bringing hope and joy to young fans by fulfilling their dreams of meeting their sports heroes. This special on ESPN Deportes continues the tradition, celebrating the incredible strength and resilience of these children and showcasing the transformative power of sports and hope.