As of 3:46 p.m. +07 on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, a seismic scandal has erupted in the boxing universe, with explosive reports revealing that Apple CEO and prominent LGBT advocate Tim Cook has placed a staggering $200 million endorsement deal with Canelo Alvarez. The offer, submitted just hours ago via a leaked email exchange, links the deal to a high-profile sponsorship for the 2025 World Boxing Championship, on one explosive condition: Canelo must appear in pro-LGBT advertisements in each of his upcoming fights, from preliminary bouts to the grand finale. The rebuttal of a statement from the Mexican boxing icon, sent in a text message to Cook’s team at 2:30 p.m. today, has left the global sports community reeling: “I fight for my people, not their agenda.” The brief dismissal, now circulating among experts, has turned this into the hottest topic of conversation of the day.
The amazing proposal
The leaked correspondence, obtained by a reliable sports source and shared with select media outlets, details Cook’s pitch as a bold move to leverage Canelo’s massive following—more than 15 million on Instagram alone—to champion LGBT visibility. The deal promises $150 million upfront, with the remaining $50 million tied to advertising performance metrics, including viewership and social media engagement at events like the WBC super middleweight title defense scheduled for March 2025 in Las Vegas. Cook’s email reportedly emphasized, “This is an opportunity to unite sports and equality,” a sentiment that clashed head-on with Canelo’s fiercely independent persona. The 34-year-old champion, fresh off a grueling 12-round victory last month, was said to have mulled the offer for hours before firing off his defiant response, a move that has already sparked a frenzy among his loyal fanbase in Mexico and beyond.
Indignation and astonishment
The sports world is ablaze, with #Canelocookdrama dominating Twitter trends since the leak broke at midday. Fans are fiercely divided, with thousands of Canelo’s followers flooding his latest post with messages like, “Canelo is real, sticking to his roots!” While others, including some LGBT activists, expressed dismay, with one prominent voice tweeting: “$200 million and you turn it down? Incredible arrogance!” The backlash has even reached Canelo’s sponsors, with Hennessy and Under Armour reportedly holding emergency meetings to assess the impact on their multi-million-dollar partnerships. Meanwhile, Apple’s PR team has remained silent, leaving Cook’s next move a mystery, though rumors suggest he may turn to other athletes like Terence Crawford. In Guadalajara, Canelo’s local radio stations are packed with callers debating whether this stance will cement his legacy or cost him dearly in the lucrative U.S. market.
The bets
This clash carries massive implications for Canelo’s career trajectory. Cutting $200 million could strain his financial empire, which Forbes estimates at over $300 million, and risks alienating corporate giants eager to capitalize on his crossover appeal. The 2025 World Championship Boxing, scheduled for a global broadcast on ESPN and DAZN, represents a pinnacle moment, and this decision could shape their narrative around him—either as a principled hero or a missed opportunity. For Cook, the rejection is a rare setback in his activism-driven business strategy, potentially forcing Apple to rethink its sports endorsement playbook. The tension has also reignited debates about athlete autonomy versus corporate influence, with experts predicting a ripple effect in boxing and beyond.
What’s next?
The boxing world is on edge as this saga unfolds. Will Canelo face a sponsor exodus, or will his fans recover more difficult? Could Cook counter with a revised offer, or will he turn to a new champion? In the coming hours, expect statements from Canelo and Apple’s camp, while Aspinall’s upcoming fight buildup and fan reactions will keep this drama front and center. Click now to stay locked in on every twist and turn of this electrifying clash as it unfolds!
