Entering the ring as an underdog, John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) is set to face Canelo Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) with no pressure, as fans and oddsmakers predict his defeat. Ryder, however, is determined to surprise Canelo and snatch his four super middleweight titles during their headlining bout on DAZN PPV at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, this Saturday, May 6th. A loss for Canelo would certainly astonish some boxing enthusiasts, but given his rocky 2022, it’s not entirely implausible for Ryder to emerge victorious.
Alvarez, 32, endured the worst year of his career in 2022, narrowly avoiding defeat in both of his fights. He was outperformed by Dmitry Bivol last May and could have lost to a declining Gennadiy Golovkin. Ryder, on the other hand, is excited to face the legendary Alvarez, stating, “I come here for my legacy, and I'll surprise him.”
Canelo boasts a flawless 7-0 record against British fighters, and should he beat Ryder, he’ll improve to 8-0. Ryder, however, is intent on spoiling Canelo’s perfect record by triumphing over him in front of his fans in Guadalajara. If Ryder had fought Canelo earlier, the Mexican star’s record against Brits might have been 6-1, as Ryder’s fighting style appears to be Canelo’s kryptonite on paper.
The crucial question is whether Ryder can withstand Canelo’s power and wear him down, as Bivol did. Ryder will be directly in front of Canelo throughout the fight, making him an easy target. While Canelo has faced criticism over his choice of opponent, he remains unfazed, acknowledging the divide between his “haters” and supporters, and remains focused on the upcoming bout.
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