De La Hoya’s Trainer Plan For Canelo: Too Little, Too Late

Oscar De La Hoya says Canelo Alvarez needs to fire trainer Eddy Reynoso and start over with a new coach to “teach him new tricks” after his loss to Terence Crawford on September 13.

De La Hoya states that Canelo (63-3-2, 39 KOs) still has the reflexes and power to be an elite-level fighter to continue his career at the top for at least three more fights.

A Deeper Problem Than Coaching

I disagree. These are the reasons why I believe a new trainer will fail with Canelo:

• Style too ingrained
• Age
• Wear and tear
• Mentally discouraged after loss
• Lacks hunger due to wealth

“Get a new trainer. You’ll do better. A new trainer will teach you new tricks,” said promoter Oscar De La Hoya to the media about him wanting Canelo Alvarez to fire his long-time trainer Eddy Reynoso after his loss to Terence Crawford.

The Persistent Cardio Issues

It would be a sign of desperation for Canelo were he to dump his long-time trainer Eddy Reynoso at this point. Regardless of who trains him, Canelo is going to still have cardio problems that he’s shown throughout his career, especially since 2022.

If an old guy like Terence Crawford could beat Canelo, just imagine what the young fighters that he’s seemingly been avoiding could do to him. Crawford didn’t do much of anything on offense. He didn’t put on a dazzling performance to beat Canelo.

Crawford appeared old, feeble, and almost as vulnerable. Canelo was a little worse, which enabled Crawford to win a close 12-round unanimous decision by the scores 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112. Canelo’s last opponent, William Scull, said this week that if he had done a little bit more, he’d have beaten Alvarez as well. He would have.

In terms of power, speed, and physical ability, Scull looked better than Crawford. He just didn’t use his superior ability enough. The other top super middleweights would have been a nightmare for Canelo if he’d fought Osleys Iglesias, Christian Mbilli, Lester Martinez, and Diego Pacheco. A new trainer isn’t going to save Canelo from those fighters if he showed the bravery to fight any of them.

“With his power and reflexes, he still has a chance to fight several more fights with the elite. He would revitalize his style and make him a new fighter,” said De La Hoya about what Floyd Mayweather Sr. could do for Canelo.

Signs of Physical Decline

Even if Canelo were open to the idea of dumping Reynoso, Mayweather Sr. wouldn’t be able to do much to revamp his style to bring back the fighter he was years ago. That’s the age and a long career ring that appear to have taken away the best part of his game.

De La Hoya didn’t mention Canelo’s changed physical appearance from just last year. He appears to have lost muscle and doesn’t look toned like he had in the past. He has a washed-out look like someone who has either lost weight or is dealing with inactivity, causing atrophy. He’s been active, though, so he shouldn’t look that way.