Oscar de la Hoya says Canelo Alvarez should leave Eddy Reynoso. He is wrong. Canelo remembers who built him. When he wasn’t anyone, Reynoso was there. When he had everything, Reynoso remained. Together they have built a career, a legacy and a fortune. Canelo never barked him low, and never cut his share. He lets him share the ride – in the ring and in the couch. It is loyalty.
And loyalty is important. This is important because boxing is full of betrayal. Fighters cut coaches as soon as the spotlight hits. They forget who they carried through the dark gyms, the empty arenas, the long roads. Canelo did not forget.
Gennadiy Golovkin did it. Abel Sanchez created his American identity. The ‘Mexican -style’ slogan was a marketing invention, but it worked. It sold him to the Mexican fan, it gave him an aura, and it made him millions. Sanchez was the one behind the curtain. Once the Dazn agreement came, Golovkin offered him a flat fee – a flat fee, after years of loyalty and percentage split. When Sanchez refused, he was gone. No gratitude. No loyalty. Just money.
This is the contrast. Canelo holds his husband and shares the wealth. Golovkin cuts his man as the checks get bigger.
The sport remembers. Manny Pacquiao never left Freddie Roach. Even when Pacquiao entered politics, even when he lost fights, Roach was still there. Floyd Mayweather never left his blood – his father and uncle stayed in the corner through every era. Joe Calzaghe never left his father. They worked unbeaten from start to finish. Loyalty built those legacies.
Betrayal breaks them. Golovkin fired Sanchez and lost more than a coach. He lost his identity. The ‘Mexican style’ has disappeared. The aura faded. He became another fighter chasing checks.
Canelo does not have to fire Reynoso. He does not have to betray himself to develop. If he wants new ideas, he can bring in a second chair. Add, not replace. Loyalty First, improvement second. This is how you protect a tire and still tighten your edge.
There are names. Derrick James can tighten his pressure. Buddy McGirt can bring old-school adjustments and middle fight strategy. Ronnie Shields was able to prepare him for bigger, more difficult opponents. Ishmael Salas can add the Cuban eye for spacing and counter settings. These voices can help. But they do not replace Reynoso. They complement him.
Canelo has nothing to be ashamed of. He dares to fight the very best. Floyd Mayweather – one of the largest defensive fighters of all time. Dmitri BIVOL – a larger, younger, unbeaten light heavyweight in its lead. Terence Crawford – the face of greatness. Three losses, all to legends. No shame in it. Only respect.
He collected titles over four divisions. He became undisputed at 168. He carried the sport on his back as the face of boxing for more than a decade. Loyalty to Reynoso was part of the journey. Gratitude made him stronger, not weaker.
Canelo does not have to fire anyone to save his legacy. His legacy is already safe.
