Álvarez, 35, recently revealed via social media that he has begun classes at San Diego State University for Integrative Studies, sharing an image from his first day of school alongside the caption, “It’s never too late to start.” The multi-division world champion, who turned professional at just 15 after leaving school early to support his family, is currently sidelined following elbow surgery and is targeting a return to the ring later this year. His enrollment signals a notable shift toward long-term planning beyond boxing, with the fighter even joking in his post that he wants to be a “businessman” in the future, an ambition that aligns with his already extensive entrepreneurial portfolio.
That portfolio is substantial. Álvarez has built a diversified business empire spanning energy, retail, beverages, real estate, and hospitality, with ventures including gas stations, convenience stores, canned cocktails, and his boxing promotion company. Among the most visible of these efforts locally is his growing restaurant brand, El Pastor Del Rica, which is preparing a major expansion into downtown San Diego. The concept, founded in Guadalajara in 2014 and operated alongside his brother Ricardo, centers on traditional Mexican street food, particularly al pastor carved from vertical spits, alongside tacos, quesadillas, and other staples.
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SanDiegoVille previously reported that Álvarez is behind plans to open a flagship Gaslamp location of El Pastor Del Rica at 565 Fifth Avenue, the prominent former home of Blue Point Coastal Cuisine. The large-format space, one of the most recognizable corners in the district, has fueled speculation that the project could evolve beyond a standard taqueria into a hybrid bar-and-restaurant concept tailored to the nightlife-heavy corridor. The Gaslamp opening follows the brand’s first San Diego-area outpost in Chula Vista, which drew significant crowds upon its debut and underscored Álvarez’s ability to translate his global fame into local consumer demand.
A liquor license transfer application tied to Álvarez’s El Pastor Del Rica Gaslamp branch was filed this week. The filing is one of the clearest indicators to date that the downtown San Diego project is actively moving through regulatory channels.
A liquor license transfer application tied to Álvarez’s El Pastor Del Rica Gaslamp branch was filed this week. The filing is one of the clearest indicators to date that the downtown San Diego project is actively moving through regulatory channels.
Álvarez’s continued investment in San Diego reflects longstanding ties to the region, where he has trained extensively and previously owned property. His decision to pursue education at the same time his business ventures are scaling suggests a broader transition phase for the fighter, who is widely regarded as one of the highest-paid athletes in the world with an estimated net worth exceeding $275 million. While his return to boxing remains on the horizon, his latest move indicates that his ambitions increasingly extend far beyond the sport that made him a household name.
The Gaslamp location of El Pastor Del Rica is expected to open in late 2026, adding another high-profile, celebrity-backed concept to downtown San Diego’s evolving dining landscape, as Álvarez balances recovery, education, and the continued expansion of his business empire.
Originally published on April 11, 2026.
