Frank Sanchez believes his sparring partner Canelo Alvarez has the credentials to become a heavyweight champion despite his size disadvantage.
The Mexican fighter has moved up a weight division for 2022 after becoming undisputed super middleweight champion last year and is now eyeing Ilunga Makabu's WBC cruiserweight belt, as he bids to become a five-weight champion.
Being undisputed champion in three of the four weight divisions he has fought in previously, Canelo could go for broke at cruiserweight to continue his stellar career.
While the 31-year-old Mexican has played down the chances of eventually moving to heavyweight, stating he doesn't believe his body would allow it, Sanchez believes differently and his comments serve as a warning to Tyson Fury.
“Look, I've sparred with Canelo. I can tell you with the utmost confidence that Canelo has heavyweight power," he told DAZN.
“He can handle cruiserweight, and in my opinion, he could be a heavyweight champion if he put his mind to it. Canelo is an absolute stud. He’s very serious and very respectful both with me and his work ethic.
“The biggest lesson that I learned from him is the fact that it doesn’t matter whether you’re training or you’re inside the ring, that you got to be serious about your craft, that you got to follow it with passion.
“That’s the main thing that I took away from being around Canelo, someone that I appreciate a lot.”
Cuban fighter Sanchez has heavyweight aspirations of his own, having taken his record to 20-0 with a comfortable victory over Christian Hammer on New Year's Day.
The 29-year-old is pushing for a heavyweight title shot in 2022 but faces a wait due to the current situation with the four belts.
