Guadalajara / Las Vegas – just three weeks after the most important fight of the year, the ring ceased to be the only battlefield for Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. This time, betrayal did not come from the opponent … but from within his own team.
It all started with a persistent annoyance on the right shoulder. An discomfort that Canelo, veteran of pain, could not ignore. His trusted physiotherapist, Gerardo López – with six years by his side – gave him importance. “It is normal fatigue,” he said with the security of those who no longer fear being questioned. But Canelo, who knows his body as he knows his gloves, was not convinced.
The breakdown came when his coach, Eddy Reynoso, faced him with disconcerting news: Dr. Montalvo, an external specialist, confirmed that the recommended recovery exercises never applied. Gerardo discarded them on his own, without informing anyone.
“Did you know?” Asked Eddy.
“What are you talking about?” Canelo replied, with frown.
The echo of the silence that followed was like a direct hook to the stomach. The pieces began to fit: the hurried sessions, the evasive ones, Gerardo’s total control over medical access. Everything indicated that something had been hidden … and it wasn’t by mistake.
Furious, but with the calculated serenity that characterizes it, Canelo gave the order:
“Tell me.” Now.
Minutes later, in the middle of the gym – where press cameras were already beginning to settle for a scheduled interview – Canelo stood up, crossed his arms and waited. Gerardo entered, confident, with the white coat and the professional smile as always.
“What happens, champion?” Does anything bother you?
Canelo looked at him with a surgical coldness. The cameras were already on. The moment would be public, without place.
“I want you to tell me the truth, Gerardo.” Why did you ignore medical indications?
Gerardo hesitated just a second. But it was enough.
“They were not necessary.” I wanted to avoid distractions … I trust me as you have always done, ”he said.
But this time the words were not enough. In front of the microphones, the flashes and the stunned face of the team, Canelo did not raise his voice. He didn’t make a scandal. He only pronounced the phrase that would mark a before and after:
“We see us in Las Vegas, Gerardo.” But not in my corner.
The news exploded as gunpowder. In less than an hour, the video of the confrontation already circulated on social networks with millions of visualizations. “Canelo breaks with his live physiotherapist”, “the betrayed champion before combat” and “Who protects the champion?” They were some of the headlines that flooded national and international media.
Hours later, already in Nevada, Canelo made an unprecedented decision: at the press conference prior to the fight, he would speak. Not of his rival. Not of its preparation. But what had just happened.
And he did so. Standing before the world press, with a firm voice and lit eyes, he declared:
“I can’t get to ring knowing that behind me there is a lie.” My physiotherapist raped my trust and played with my health. And in this sport, that is not forgiven.
The room exploded. No one expected it. No one imagined that the most reserved champion in Mexico would thus expose one of his own. But he did. And he did it with the security of those who no longer fear loading with uncomfortable truths.
At the end, Canelo did not accept questions. He just said:
“Boxing is not just strength.” It is also dignity. See you at the ring.