As the fight fever grips the state of Jalisco, home to tequila, mariachi music, and boxing champ Canelo Alvarez (58–2–2), the upcoming Canelo vs Ryder bout reads: ‘The King is coming home’. John ‘The Gorilla’ Ryder (32–5) will face his toughest challenge yet when he enters the lion’s den on Saturday night to take on boxing legend Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez for the super-middleweight crown.
With a win, Ryder will make history as England’s first undisputed male champion in the four-belt era, but the odds are against him. Fighting in Alvarez’s hometown of Guadalajara, a victory for the 34-year-old underdog would be a monumental upset in the world of boxing.
Alvarez, the face of boxing and a four-weight champion, will be fighting on his home turf for the first time in 12 years, making Ryder’s task even more daunting. Adding to the challenge is the expected 50,000 fans who will be filling the Estadio Akron on Cinco de Mayo weekend, commemorating Mexico’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
So, will Canelo come out victorious in his homecoming, or will Ryder pull off the upset of the year? Down below lies our prediction for what will happen on Saturday night, and a lot more you should know about the thrilling Canelo vs Ryder Mexico showdown.
Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder Date, Time, and Venue
Get ready for the biggest fight in recent memory as the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara hosts the epic showdown. The stadium has a history of sporting glory, but on May 6th, it will be the stage for the much-awaited Canelo Alvarez vs. John Ryder bout.
The main card starts at 5 p.m. ET local time in Guadalajara, 7 p.m. EDT / 12 a.m. BST / 1 a.m. CET. The main event is scheduled for 11 p.m. ET / 4 a.m. BST / 5 a.m. CET, and fans can’t wait.
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 7:00 p.m. EDT / 12:00 a.m. BST (Sunday)
Venue: Akron Stadium, Guadalajara, Mexico
Main Event Ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 a.m. BST (Sunday)
Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder Broadcast
Boxing enthusiasts worldwide can catch the Alvarez vs. Ryder bout on DAZN streaming, provided it is available in their region. In the US, the fight will be accessible on DAZN PPV.
What’s on the Line in Canelo vs Ryder Bout?
Undisputed super-middleweight champion Alvarez defends his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles against Briton John Ryder at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron on Saturday.
👑 @Canelo and his belts.#CaneloRyder is LIVE on DAZN PPV in the US and Canada and available as part of your regular subscription in selected territories. pic.twitter.com/KxgisKdW6z
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2023
“It’s an honour. I’m happy to be part of this history in my own town,”
32-year-old Alvarez, who will fight Mexico for the first time since 2011, says.
Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder Face-off at the Final Presser
In the lead-up to the fight, Canelo Alvarez spoke to the media and declared his intention to knock out his English opponent.
Alvarez Feels Home
Canelo Alvarez shared his training experience with the media ahead of the fight, admitting that it was tough at first due to the lack of oxygen, but he adapted quickly and is now happy to be back home. The Mexican boxer spoke to both local and international media who have arrived at the venue in anticipation of the fight against John Ryder.
“It was complicated at the beginning (training), the oxygen was lacking the first few days, but in a week I adapted and with the vibe of the people I feel happy to be here at home.”
FACE-OFF 🔥#CaneloRyder is LIVE on DAZN PPV in the US and Canada and available as part of your regular subscription in selected territories. pic.twitter.com/jDuLMt7tvj
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 3, 2023
Canelo Wants to KO Ryder and Enjoy More Boxing at Home
“Respectful below the ring but believe me that above is what I will look for (the KO)” against the British John Ryder,
said Canelo while addressing the media gathered in Guadalajara just three days shy from the fight on May 6.
“We have to enjoy this moment, I don’t know, I hope it’s not the last fight in Mexico, but I can say that we have to enjoy tonight because it will be very special”,
replied Saúl about the possibility of fighting again in his homeland.
Ryder Doesn’t Feel Much Pressure
Ryder watched on as all of this unfolded, at times sharing a joke with his trainer Tony Sims. However, he has an opportunity to spoil the biggest party Mexican boxing has seen in a long time.
“I don’t feel like there’s any real pressure on me,”
he told BBC Sport.
“It’s Canelo’s first time back in Mexico in nearly 12 years. I think he needs this to get back and win the hearts of the Mexicans and show he is a true Mexican fighter.”
John Ryder became the WBO number one challenger by winning the interim title in his last fight against fellow Briton Zach Parker in November. This earned him the right to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the super-middleweight crown.
Zach Parker, one of the RDX Sports’ brand ambassadors had to pull out in the 4th round due to an unfortunate hand injury.
Thanks for the support everyone, I’ll be back stronger than ever. pic.twitter.com/aIlLLbHn0k
— Zach (@zachparkerboxer) November 27, 2022
Ryder narrowly missed out on the WBA belt in 2019 when he challenged Liverpool’s Callum Smith but failed to secure a points decision in his favor.
With a possible contest against Alvarez on the horizon, Ryder attended the Mexican’s recent fights to analyze his opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
He said:
“It’s easy to say that everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the face.
“But I will just do what I do best, sticking to the game plan me and Tony have worked on and executing it to perfection.”
Canelo vs Ryder Fight Card
- Main Event: Canelo Alvarez (C) vs John Ryder (WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, and and The Ring Super Middleweight Titles)
- Co-main Event: Julio Cesar Martinez vs Ronal Batista (WBC Flyweight Title)
- Oleksandr Gvozdyk vs Ricards Bolotniks (Light Heavyweight)
- Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela vs Steve Spark (WBA Intercontinental Super Lightweight Title)
- Nathan Rodriguez vs Alexander Mejia (Featherweight)
- Bek Nurmaganbet vs Argenis Espana (Lightweight)
- Lawrence King vs Elio German Rafael (Super Middleweight)
- Abilkhan Amankul vs Fabian Rios Frausto (Middleweight)
- Johansen Alvarez Suarez vs Johan Rodriguez Arreguin (Super Featherweight)
- Carlos Rojo Vazquez vs Fabian Trejo Rivera (Super Welterweight)
- Jesus Larios vs Alejandro Curiel (Light Flyweight)
Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder Fighting Style Comparison
Canelo Álvarez and John Ryder are like two sides of the same boxing coin – each with their own flavor of fighting prowess. Let’s explore what makes them tick, shall we? Here’s a deconstructed view of their strengths and weaknesses in different areas:
Canelo vs Ryder Power
Canelo Álvarez is known for his power, especially in his hooks and uppercuts. He is a skilled counter-puncher and can generate significant force even when moving backward. However, Canelo’s power can be somewhat mitigated when he fights at higher weight classes, as he may face opponents who are naturally larger and more resistant to his punches.
John Ryder has respectable power, but it is not as significant as Canelo’s. Ryder’s best weapons are his left hook and straight right, which he often uses to set up combinations. His power is most effective when he can pressure his opponent against the ropes and unleash flurries of punches. Overall, while Ryder can stun his opponents, he doesn’t have the same one-punch knockout power as Canelo.
Canelo vs Ryder Speed
Canelo Álvarez has excellent speed, particularly in his upper body movement and footwork. He is skilled at slipping punches and weaving in and out of range to set up his own counters. Canelo has also shown improvement in his hand speed, as evidenced by his quick combinations and snappy jabs. Overall, Canelo’s speed is a significant asset that allows him to control the pace of the fight.
John Ryder is not as fast as Canelo Álvarez but has shown improvement in his speed over the years. He has quick hands and can throw punches in rapid succession. Ryder’s footwork is not as polished as Canelo’s, but he compensates with his ability to cut off the ring and corner his opponents. Overall, Ryder’s speed is above average but not at the same level as Canelo.
Canelo vs Ryder Defense
Canelo Álvarez has excellent defense, especially in his upper body movement and head movement. He is a skilled counter-puncher who uses his defense to create openings for his own attacks. Canelo has also shown improvement in his footwork, allowing him to move out of harm’s way quickly. Overall, Canelo’s defense is one of his biggest strengths, making it challenging for opponents to land significant shots.
John Ryder’s defense is not as polished as Canelo’s. He tends to rely on his durability and toughness to absorb punches and keep pressing forward. Ryder’s head movement and footwork are not as developed, making it easier for opponents to hit him. However, Ryder compensates with his pressure and work rate, which can overwhelm opponents and make it difficult for them to find openings.
Canelo vs Ryder Stamina
Canelo Álvarez has excellent stamina and conditioning. He has shown the ability to maintain a high work rate and keep his power throughout the later rounds of fights. Canelo has also shown the ability to fight at multiple weight classes, which requires exceptional endurance. Overall, Canelo’s stamina is a significant asset that allows him to control the pace of the fight and wear down his opponents.
John Ryder’s stamina is respectable, but it is not at the same level as Canelo’s. Ryder has shown the ability to fight at a high work rate for extended periods, but he can sometimes tire in the later rounds. Overall, Ryder’s stamina is above average, but it may not be enough to keep up with Canelo’s pace over the course of a long fight.
Canelo vs Ryder Technique
Canelo Alvarez is renowned for his impeccable technique in the ring. He possesses a wide range of punches, including the jab, hook, uppercut, and straight, and can deliver them with precision and speed. Alvarez is an excellent counterpuncher and uses his footwork and head movement to create openings for his punches. He also has a strong defense and can block and slip punches effectively. Alvarez’s technique is particularly impressive when he is fighting on the inside, where he can work the body and head with swift and powerful combinations.
On the other hand, John Ryder has a more straightforward technique, but he is no less effective. Ryder is a pressure fighter who likes to come forward and throw punches in bunches. He has a solid jab and can use it to set up his power punches. Ryder also possesses a strong left hook to the body, which he uses to wear down his opponents. While his technique may not be as polished as Alvarez’s, Ryder makes up for it with his determination and relentless work rate.
Canelo vs Ryder Chin
Canelo Alvarez has proven to have a strong chin throughout his career, having never been knocked out in any of his fights. Alvarez has shown the ability to take powerful punches from some of the sport’s biggest punchers, such as Gennady Golovkin and Sergey Kovalev. While he may not have the best head movement, Alvarez’s chin has allowed him to weather the storm and come back to win fights.
John Ryder’s chin, on the other hand, is a bit of a question mark. While he has never been knocked out in any of his fights, he has shown vulnerability in some of his past matches. In his fight against Callum Smith, Ryder was knocked down in the second round and was hurt several times throughout the bout. While he was able to go the distance, the question remains as to how well he can take punches from the sport’s top punchers.
Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder Prediction
Overall, Canelo Álvarez has a more well-rounded and dominant fighting style compared to John Ryder. He has superior power, defense, speed, technique, and stamina. However, Ryder is a skilled fighter who can hold his own against many opponents, and his ability to throw combinations and fight on the inside can make him a dangerous opponent.
John Ryder faces an enormous challenge in becoming the new undisputed super middleweight champion of the world by stepping into the Lion’s Den. Although Ryder deserves this opportunity after a rollercoaster career, we anticipate the fight going only one way.
Who leaves Guadalajara as the undisputed 👑 at 168? #CaneloRyder is LIVE on DAZN PPV in the US and Canada and available as part of your regular subscription in selected territories 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2KSkGgcYHg
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 4, 2023
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, as he often does, will spend the early rounds figuring out his opponent before increasing his output in the second half of the fight. Despite Ryder being a durable fighter, Alvarez’s hard-hitting shots will gradually wear him down, with the Mexican stopping the fight a little over half way with one of his trademark hooks to the body.
Therefore, we predict Alvarez will secure another thrilling victory through a late knockout. Alvarez TKO-8.
Conclusion
The stage is set for a historic boxing night as Canelo Alvarez, the face of boxing, defends his super-middleweight crown against Britain’s John Ryder in his home city of Guadalajara. A win for Ryder would go down as one of the greatest overseas victories for a British fighter and a massive shock in boxing history.
With the odds stacked against him, the question remains whether Ryder can upset the four-weight champion and become England’s first undisputed male champion in the four-belt era. Boxing fans around the world eagerly await the main event scheduled for May 6th at the Estadio Akron.