Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) returns to defend the Undisputed World Super-Middleweight Championship on Saturday, May 6, against John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs), live on DAZN Pay-Per-View from Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico.
“I feel really happy to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back,” said Canelo. “Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I’m from, makes me especially happy. And in John Ryder, I’m facing a very competitive fighter.”
Alvarez hasn’t fought in his native Mexico in more than 4,000 days – that’s more than 11 ½ years. The last time Canelo fought in Mexico was in Mexico City. Canelo was the unbeaten WBC 154-lb. champion; stopping former world champion Kermit Cintron in the fifth-round.
In September, Canelo, in defense of his 168-lb. titles, ended his long-standing rivalry against a 41-year-old Gennady Golovkin. That victory came four months following Canelo’s loss to unbeaten WBA light-heavyweight champion Dimitry Bivol last May.
Overall, Canelo has been World Super-Middleweight Champion since December 2018; pummeling Rocky Fielding (TKO 2) at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
As Canelo inches closer to what will be a memorable night of boxing come May 6, it’s amazing to see what Canelo has accomplished in hindsight. At age 32, Canelo is a four-division world champion having won titles at 154, 160, 168, and 175. 58 victories in 62 professional fights dating back to 2005. Canelo was just 15 years old when he turned professional.
Canelo has fought and defeated some of the best fighters in boxing over the last 18 years: Golovkin, Erislandy Lara, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, Austin Trout, Amir Khan, and so many others… Losing only to Biviol (2022) and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (2013); having went nearly a decade between defeats.
Come May 6, it will certainly be a homecoming celebration for Canelo.
“This is a moment that will be forever engrained in the history of boxing and Mexican sport,” said Eddie Hearn. “Canelo Alvarez defending his undisputed championship in his hometown in front of 50,000 fans will be an incredible sight and a night we will never forget.
“In John Ryder, you have a mandatory challenger that has paid his dues and off the back of big wins against Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker is ready for the ultimate challenge. See you May 6 in Guadalajara for something very special, live on DAZN.”
Ryder was awarded a chance to fight for the Undisputed World Super-Middleweight Championship following an exciting 2022. Ryder defeated former world champion Danny Jacobs, via split-decision. Ryder also captured the interim WBO 168-lb. title and mandatory title shot when Zack Parker didn’t get-up from his stool to start the fifth-round.
“There’s no denying that Canelo is one of the greats and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport but I fully believe this is my time fulfil my dream of becoming a World champion,” said Ryder.
“I’m not going over there for a holiday. For me this is purely business and my full focus is on going into his backyard in Guadalajara on May 6 and bringing those belts back with me to the UK.”
Walker on Boxing 