The stars were out on Sunday night (Monday AEDT) at Staples Center as the Toronto Raptors took on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Toronto was able to walk away with an impressive 121-107 win over the Lakers putting on a show in the process. Although New York Giants star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. was on hand on his bye week as was Staples regular Denzel Washington, no star shined brighter than boxer Canelo Alvarez.
Alvarez who is known as professional sports' highest-paid athlete after signing an 11-fight deal worth $365 million dollars with DAZN said he loves the atmosphere in L.A.
"It's always one of the sports I like to see," Alvarez said in Spanish translated by NBA Mexico. "I see it at home, when I'm training, I like to watch basketball.
"I came to Los Angeles to record a commercial for my next fight and it happened that this game was, I decided to come in. I love the atmosphere, I love being here supporting."
Boxing's biggest star also heaped praise on basketball's biggest star LeBron James saying his arrival in Los Angeles has helped change the Lakers franchise.
"He is a great player, a great athlete and generates a lot of expectation, the change is remarkable and with a player like him, more."
🇲🇽🥊 Saúl @Canelo Álvarez, campeón mundial supermediano, nos habló de la llegada de @KingJames a los Lakers y el ambiente en @STAPLESCenter. pic.twitter.com/CaGuqY9A2n
— Los Lakers (@LosLakers) November 5, 2018
Alvarez last fought at Staples Center in 2010 defeating Carlos Baldomir by knockout in the 6th round. Alvarez is promoted by legend Oscar De la Hoya — who has a statue outside of Staples Center — which means he's always rumoured to return to fight in one of the NBA's most famous arenas.
His next fight is scheduled for December 15, 2018, at Madison Square Garden against Britsh born Rocky Fielding on DAZN.
