'Defensive masterclass' – Video emerges of Canelo Alvarez sparring with Teofimo Lopez ahead of Edgar Berlanga clash

31/08/2024 12:13

Canelo Alvarez has been getting some work in with two-weight world champion Teofimo Lopez.

The Mexican superstar recently invited Lopez into his gym for some no-contact sparring, which was caught on camera.

The video of their move-around was uploaded on Lopez‘s social media with the caption: “Escuela de Boxeo,” translating to ‘boxing school’.

Lopez can be seen throwing some punches while Canelo evades before the former undisputed super middleweight champion turns his man and returns fire.

Both boxers showed off some beautiful parries and head movement – and will have gained a lot from the session, especially Lopez.

Reacting to the clip, one fan wrote: “Iron sharpens iron.”

Another tweeted: “Gotta love this. Boxing is art.”

Meanwhile, a third added: “Defensive masterclass.”

WBO super lightweight champion, Lopez, has been chasing unification fights at 140lbs over the last year to no avail and is prepared to move up in weight to land the big battles.

Growing tired of waiting around for the blockbuster showdowns at his natural weight, Lopez is now campaigning for a fight with WBA super welterweight champion, Terence Crawford.

“If you look at my track record, everything that I talk about, I walk it as well,” Lopez told Sky Sports of a potential fight with ‘Bud’.

“We don’t just talk the talk to amp something up, we want to walk the walk.

“And I just had to remind him I’m the biggest cat in the world, absolutely and because of that we face fighters, great champions and I look forward to facing a fighter like him after this fight [against Jamaine Ortiz] however that pursues itself.

 “This is not a publicity stunt here. I think that if you look at my record and everything it shows that I really choose to face the best.

“Because that’s what ‘The Takeover’ is. What would I be if I didn’t do these things?

“Who would I be if I didn’t face the best? That is the only way I become greater.”

Canelo was also linked to a fight with Crawford for some time.

HE Turki Alalshikh had the super fight at the top of his boxing wishlist earlier this year and even made Canelo a money-spinning offer.

However, the face of boxing refused to respond until after his upcoming clash with Edgar Berlanga on September 14 and stated publically that he ‘doesn’t like the way HE Alalshikh works’.

This angered the Saudi boxing chief, who retracted his offer and released a lengthy statement, in which he accused Canelo of being afraid of fighting David Benavidez and Crawford.

Since then, it appears Canelo and HE Alalshikh have got back on better terms, although it remains to be seen whether the Crawford clash can be delivered.