John Ryder is embracing the challenge of fighting Canelo Alvarez in his Guadalajara hometown – and says it’s only right to face the Mexican king in his backyard as he looks to defeat the undisputed super middleweight champion at the Estadio Akron on Saturday night, live on DAZN and DAZN PPV.
“I know it’s going to be hostile; I am prepared for it,” said Ryder. “I think to go and fight a champion, you should go to their backyard to take their titles and that’s what I am doing. Most fighters have gone to Vegas or Texas to fight him, but I’m in Guadalajara in the Lion’s Den.
“I think that the pressure is on him. It’s been a long time since he boxed here and who expects anything of me? No one. People think I am here for the paycheck, I am not, I am here to show that dreams can come true. I’ve worked hard to get here, and I deserve to be here.
“I think it is a good time to fight him, he has a lot of miles on the clock. Last year he had the Bivol defeat, I found it strange that he went back to light heavyweight, and then he went back to 168 and while I don’t think it was a bad performance, I think people were expecting him to stop him and put the final nail in the coffin of the trilogy and he didn’t, although he did win comfortably. Obviously, he’s had the surgery on his hand and maybe there’s question marks on wear and tear, but I want the best version of him because I will give the best version of me.
“I have to embrace the moment. After 12 rounds, my hand will be raised, and the new, from Islington, London, UK, undisputed world super middleweight champion, John Ryder. It’s a dream opportunity and I don’t plan to waste it.
“To prepare for him, you have to take him off his pedestal initially as he is who he is, but you won’t be able to get Canelo in to spar to prepare for Canelo. You work with what you can get which we have. Tony Sims is a great trainer and a real boxing historian, but it’s all very modern in my camp too. It’s been a different camp as I stayed with Joe Cordina for three weeks was fantastic, it’s one big family and he’s like a brother. He regained his World title so now it’s down to me.
“I have always believed that I was destined for bigger things. My career has always been a work in progress. I’ve got good people around me, familiar faces, and there’s nothing new here, I’m not in the main fight hotel so everything is a bit calmer, it’s nice and we’ll dial in when we need to.”
Best of British luck John, in this game you can have the best preparation,,,,,,but is it the right preparation/gameplay ? Bivol got it right and he was calm ,confident and a gentleman prior to the fight. You remind me of Bivol a little,so here’s hoping you achieve your goal.
John is getting his largest payday with nothing to lose so he should be “calm.” Bivol was an undefeated rising star. They’re nothing alike. Canelo is going to show why he’s an 18:1 favorite.
Canelo is an 18:1 favorite mostly because he’s a Mexican fighting in Mexico.
unlikely…
Yeah, he seems to have the right mindset, but he doesn’t have to power to stop Canelo, and it’s hard to imagine him getting out of there with a decision. Don’t see it happening, but if Ryder pulls this off somehow, it would be the biggest upset since…when? Can’t think of a recent equivalent off the top of my head…
Since Joe Frazer victory over Ali
Tyson. Buster Douglas
Joe Frazier was superior that night. Not a surprise to boxing pundits. Ali never the same after more than 3 years out of the ring.
Tyson-Douglas a huge upset.
Ruiz-Joshua came to mind, but Ruiz was only a 10-1 underdog. Can’t come up with anything more recent than Douglas-Tyson that would top a Ryder upset.
Buster Douglas beating Mike Tyson
Good luck John hope you win, You deserve this fight after getting robed against callum Smith.
Hoping John Ryder gets a few millions, well deserved. Blue collar boxer among all the self proclaimed elite.
what can i say ? ripe for the picking
LOL @ John Ryder. Canelo in four.
I have NO DOUBT his hand will be raised…….to check his pulse after being knocked out!
With canelo fighting in his hometown for the 1st time in 12 years I believe John ryder will be annihilated, 55,000 hometown fans watching you live what will be the last ever, not to mention canelo in easy fashion defeated 4 opponent’s that beat ryder, this match, set, point, will be over in 3 or less.