Canelo Alvarez has criticised YouTube boxers and celebrity fighters, ahead of Floyd Mayweather's contest against Logan Paul in February.
The Mexican pound-for-pound superstar was speaking before his contest with Callum Smith to decide the No 1 boxer at 168lb. Canelo's only official pro defeat came via a points loss to Mayweather in 2013.
With YouTuber Logan stepping in the ring with Floyd neat year - and his brother Jake Paul calling out various fight figures - Alvarez made it clear he views these bouts as disrespectful money-grabs.
"It's all about the money," Canelo told TMZ Sports through a translator.
Advert
"I don't think we would agree that people that are basketball players, that are YouTubers, get [boxing] licenses."
When asked by TMZ if he'd ever be down for fighting Jake Paul, who claims to have offered Conor McGregor $50 million to step in a boxing ring with him, Canelo cut straight to the point.
"No... I truly believe that it's a lack of respect," he said. "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."
Being asked whether the Paul brothers were disrespecting the sport of boxing, Canelo replied: "For true fighters, I do believe it is a lack of respect."
Advert
Logan Paul's contest with 50-0 boxing legend 'Money' Mayweather is officially an exhibition. However the 25-year-old 'Maverick' did get a professional boxing license for his 2019 fight with fellow social media star KSI.
Jake Paul has a 2-0 pro boxing record but his victories have come against another YouTuber and former NBA player Nate Robinson. However he's clearly keen to keep fighting, as he's called out the likes of McGregor and Michael Bisping.
Boxing fans tend to be divided over these social media fights, with some claiming they're an insult to full-time professional boxers, while others claim they're harmless fun that bring a new audience to the sport.
Advert
It seems pretty clear that Canelo Alvarez is in the former camp - and that there's no way he'll be paying to watch his former rival lace up his gloves against Logan Paul come 2021.
Featured image credit: Instagram
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Saul Canelo Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul, Logan Paul, Boxing News, Boxing, Saul Alvarez, Jake Paul, Fight News, Canelo Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather