CANELO ALVAREZ has slammed the trend of YouTubers and celebrities jumping into the boxing ring, insisting the Sweet Science is ‘no joke’.
Over the last few years, boxing has been infiltrated by social media celebs looking to settle online spats.
Fights between YouTubers – in particular those involving Jake and Logan Paul – have divided opinion in the boxing world, with some believing they’re contributing to the growth of the sport.
WBA super-middleweight champion Canelo, however, isn’t part of that group and made his opinions on the matter clear during an appearance on the Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson Podcast.
Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo translated for the Mexican, saying: “He said anybody can do whatever it is that they desire, but he says boxing’s no joke.
“Nate Robinson, he says he had no reason to become a professional boxer, I mean look at him, he says, they left him half dead after that fight.
“This isn’t a joke either.”
Canelo, 30, voiced his disapproval at the trend last December, telling TMZ: “Ya know, it’s all about the money.
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“I don’t think we would agree that people that are basketball players, that are YouTubers get licenses.
“Ya know, I don’t criticize [the Paul brothers]. This is a very risky sport, and if you go up there, it’s very risky.”
The hard-hitting Mexican added: “I truly believe that it’s a lack of respect.
“It’s all based on money. It’s all for money. I’m focused right now on other projects.
“I have other stuff going on, and I would invite him [Jake Paul] for a sparring session so that he truly knows what it’s all about.”
Pound-for-pound king Canelo is currently gearing up for a super-middleweight title unification bout with WBO belt holder Billy Joe Saunders, whom he’ll face on May 8.
Paul, meanwhile, is getting ready to throw down with former UFC welterweight Ben Askren in the showpiece bout of Triller Fight Club’s second event.
The YouTuber’s clash with the ex-ONE Championship and Bellator 170lb champion will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on April 17.
