Nacho Beristain, the legendary Mexican boxing trainer, has stirred up controversy with his recent candid interview. He shared a surprising encounter with an alleged drug lord and didn't hold back in his criticism of Mexican boxing star Canelo Alvarez.
Beristain, who's been in the boxing game for over 60 years, recounted a nerve-wracking experience after a match in Ocotlan, Jalisco. He was worried about getting to the Guadalajara airport when an armed group approached him. They wanted a photo with "the boss."
"A calm man holding popcorn came over. He thanked me and told me to stay humble," Beristain said.
Some think this "boss" might have been Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, who leads the Jalisco Cartel. This story highlights the strong presence of criminal groups in the region.
But Beristain didn't stop there. He took aim at Mexican boxing, pointing out problems like lack of transparency in fight results and pressure to keep quiet about big names. His main target? Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez.
"Canelo's career leaves doubts. Some of his fight outcomes are unbelievable. There's this idea that he can't be criticized," Beristain stated.
He even hinted at possible links between Canelo's team and shady activities, mentioning journalistic and judicial investigations but not providing specifics.
Beristain's words have got boxing fans talking. Some think he's bravely exposing uncomfortable truths, while others accuse him of unfairly attacking Canelo. The topic's been trending on social media with mixed reactions.
Canelo's camp hasn't said anything official yet, but given how big these accusations are, they'll probably speak up soon.
This interview has kicked off a debate about the relationship between sport and organized crime. It's making people think hard about the state of boxing in Mexico. We might see a much-needed discussion about ethics, transparency, and independence in professional boxing because of this.
