Kobe Bryant has left a legacy that transcends beyond the court, permeating sport in general. A basketball legend and an athlete who always stood out for his discipline, focus and championship mentality, which have inspired new generations of athletes.
Now, a voice close to “Black Mamba” himself assures that these qualities are also reflected in Canelo Alvarez, the undisputed super middleweight champion. Trevor Zambrano, Bryant’s former boxing trainer, explained in an interview with ES News why he sees in the Mexican pugilist a reflection of the NBA icon.
They highlight similarities between Kobe Bryant and Canelo Alvarez
Trevor Zambrano worked with Kobe Bryant when he turned to boxing as a complement to his physical preparation. The goal was to perfect his footwork, agility and mental toughness, key aspects on the court.
In his analysis, the coach highlighted how Bryant and Alvarez share the same approach to training:“Canelo has a lot of similarities to Kobe Bryant because they both follow a daily ritual, they want things done a certain way… They always come in very professional,” said Zambrano.
Both athletes, he said, managed their time with great rigor: when they trained, there were no distractions or room for anything other than improvement.
Kobe Bryant and Canelo Alvarez’s steel mentality
According to Zambrano, the key lies not only in technical skill, but also in a goal-oriented mindset. Both Kobe and Canelo understand that success depends on the ability to focus, put aside the irrelevant and give their best in each session.
The comparison is not limited to the ring or the court. Zambrano recalled Alvarez’s passion for golf, where he has even won tournaments against other celebrities. That drive to compete in everything they do is, for the coach, another commonality with Bryant.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy
The interview also had an emotional tone when remembering the death of Bryant in 2020. Zambrano confessed that the news deeply affected him, especially because of the closeness he had with the player’s family.
“It was surreal… and very hard because I knew his daughter. I saw how Kobe always pushed them, they even trained boxing with us sometimes,” the coach shared.
From Zambrano‘s perspective, Kobe was not only a fierce competitor, but also a genuinely respectful and family-oriented person, values that he also sees in Canelo Alvarez
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