It’s now official that John Ryder will be the opponent of Canelo Alvarez in his return to Guadalajara almost 12 years after his last fight in the land where he was born. And this time, the Mexican boxing maestro is returning to his birthplace as the undisputed super middleweight champion.
Although Canelo’s fight in Guadalajara had already been confirmed, the rival and venue were already known, but it was yet to be announced officially, which was confirmed this Tuesday.
Cinco de Mayo in Mexico 🇲🇽@Canelo defends his Undisputed 168lb Championship against mandatory challenger @_John_Ryder_ on May 6 in Guadalajara 👑 #CaneloRyder is live on @DAZNBoxing and DAZN PPV pic.twitter.com/ygTL0nFTgQ
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 14, 2023
Canelo is returning to Guadalajara after 11 years
The fight on the 6th of May will be at the Akron Stadium, with a capacity of around 55,000 spectators, the same venue that opened its doors on this day for the official conference in which the fight was announced.
Canelo, the WBC, WBA (Super), WBO and IBF champion at 168, will put his four titles on the line against Ryder, the mandatory challenger and interim WBO champion.
“The truth is it is not easy to hold an event of this magnitude,” Canelo told Azteca Deportes. “In the end what is wanted is possible, I wanted to fight in my land, in Jalisco, and happy to be here.”
Canelo was accompanied by his wife and his daughter as he arrived at the Akron Stadium. Also present were promoter Eddie Hearn, owner of Matchroom Boxing; Eddy Reynoso, Canelo’s coach; and José “Chepo” Reynoso, who led the Guadalajara to win the title.
Asked how he is doing with the injury to his hand, Canelo said that he had been dragging it for a couple of years, and although it was not treated due to neglect, he is ready to face Ryder.
“I’ve been a professional for 17 years, an injury had never given me a problem,” he went on, “My body has to do it at some point, so much preparation and blow, that detail of the hand had been coming for two years, but by being lazy it got worse, we had to do it and here we are.”
June 18th, 2011 was the last time Canelo fought in Guadalajara, when he defeated Ryan Rhodes by TKO in 12 rounds at the VGV Arena. It will also be his return to Mexico in more than 11 years, after he won Kermit Cintron by technical knockout in five rounds on November 26, 2011 at the Plaza de Toros México.
