Oscar De La Hoya says Canelo Alvarez should leave Eddy Reynoso. He’s wrong. Canelo remembers who built him. When he was no one, Reynoso was there. When he had everything, Reynoso stayed. Together they built a career, a legacy, and a fortune. Canelo never lowballed him, never cut his share. He let him share the ride — in the ring and in the bank. That’s loyalty.
And loyalty matters. It matters because boxing is full of betrayal. Fighters cut trainers as soon as the spotlight hits. They forget who carried them through the dark gyms, the empty arenas, the long roads. Canelo didn’t forget.
Gennadiy Golovkin did. Abel Sanchez created his U.S. identity. The “Mexican Style” slogan was a marketing invention, but it worked. It sold him to the Mexican fan base, it gave him an aura, and it made him millions. Sanchez was the one behind the curtain. As soon as the DAZN deal came, Golovkin offered him a flat fee—a flat fee, after years of loyalty and percentage splits. When Sanchez refused, he was gone. No gratitude. No loyalty. Just money.
This is the contrast. Canelo keeps his man and shares the wealth. Golovkin cuts his man when 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 went undefeated together, from start to finish. Loyalty built those legacies.
Betrayal breaks them. Golovkin fired Sanchez and lost more than a trainer. He lost his identity. The “Mexican Style” disappeared. The aura faded. He became another fighter chasing checks.
Canelo doesn’t need to fire Reynoso. He doesn’t need to betray him to evolve. If he wants new ideas, he can bring in a second chair. Add, not replace. Loyalty first, improvement second. That’s how you protect a bond and still sharpen your edge.
There are names. Derrick James could sharpen his pressure. Buddy McGirt could bring old-school adjustments and mid-fight strategy. Ronnie Shields could prepare him for taller, rangier opponents. Ismael Salas could add the Cuban eye for spacing and counter setups. These voices could help. But they don’t replace Reynoso. They complement him.
Canelo has nothing to be ashamed of. He dared to fight the very best. Floyd Mayweather — one of the greatest defensive fighters of all time. Dmitry Bivol — a bigger, younger, undefeated light heavyweight in his prime. Terence Crawford — the face of greatness. Three losses, all to legends. No shame in that. Only respect.
He has collected titles across 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 that journey. Gratitude made him stronger, not weaker.
Canelo doesn’t need to fire anyone to save his legacy. His legacy is already safe.