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Canelo Alvarez Defends His Undisputed Title Against John
Ryder On May 6 In Mexico Homecoming
Saúl Canelo Álvarez will defend his Undisputed
Super-Middleweight title against John Ryder at the Akron
Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday May 6, live
around the world on DAZN and DAZN PPV in the U.S & Canada –
the first time in over a eleven and a half years that Canelo
has fought in Mexico.
Canelo (58-2-2 39 KOs) defends his Undisputed crown for the
second time after beating bitter rival Gennadiy Golovkin in
their trilogy battle in Las Vegas in September, having
ripped the IBF crown from Caleb Plant in Sin City in
November 2021 with an 11th round stoppage.
The Mexican superstar will make an emotional return to his
homeland for his latest Cinco de Mayo showdown, and it will
be 4180 days since he last stepped through the ropes in
Mexico, when he stopped Kermit Cintron in Mexico City in
five rounds to defend his WBO World Light-Middleweight
title.
The 32 year old four-weight World Champion fights for the
63rd time of his storied career as he closes in on 18 years
as a pro. Cinco de Mayo weekend will see him fight for the
35th time in his homeland and it promises to be a
spectacular occasion with the state of Jalisco marking 200
years of independence.
WBO mandatory challenger Ryder (32-5 18 KOs) will be looking
to spoil the party, as the popular Londoner travels to
Mexico for the biggest fight of his 12-year career. ‘The
Gorilla’ landed the WBO interim title in his last fight when
Zach Parker retired on his stool after four rounds of their
clash in London, England in November.
That win for the 34 year old followed a career-best victory
earlier in 2022 over former Middleweight ruler and old
Canelo foe Daniel Jacobs, with Ryder having also tackled
three other Britons who have taken on the Mexican king,
challenging Callum Smith for the Super-Middleweight World
crown after fights with Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky
Fielding.
“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.”
“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. I want to thank the team, Tony and
Charlie Sims and Matchroom Boxing for making this happen.”
“Canelo’s return to Mexico is historic for Mexican boxing,”
said trainer Eddy Reynoso. “He is returning as an Undisputed
champion, this is proof that a Mexican can succeed outside
his country with discipline and love for his sport.
“I feel proud of all of this, because the dream of a kid who
started in Guadalajara came true and he returns as a
winner!”
“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.”
“It doesn’t get bigger than Canelo in Mexico,” Joe Markowski,
CEO North America, DAZN Group said, “Canelo returning home,
John Ryder coming to spoil the party after big wins versus
Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker in 2022; this has the makings
of a classic. Tune in to this historic event live on DAZN
around the world and in Mexico for the very first time.”
An announcement on ticket sale dates will be made soon.
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