(Zapopan) Undisputed super middleweight king Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will put his WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF crowns on the line against Britain’s John Ryder in Guadalajara in May for a return to the rings in his native Mexico, where he had not fought since 2011.
“I am happy to return to my country after 12 years. I’m proud that people who don’t have the opportunity to go to Las Vegas can see me here in Guadalajara,” said Canelo, 32, with an eloquent record of 58 wins (39 before the limit), two draws and two losses.
The fight against John “Gorilla” Ryder, 34, 32 wins (18 before the limit) and five defeats (including one by KO), is scheduled for May 6 at the Akron stadium, home of the Guadalajara football club, announced the Matchroom Boxing promoter.
This is the second time that the unified and undisputed champion will defend his titles.
In September in Las Vegas, he won the third fight against his great rival, the Kazakh Gennady Golovkin, after his first victory in September 2018 and a controversial draw a year earlier.
This is Alvarez’s first time fighting in Mexico since his 2011 win over Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron in Mexico City.
“I had a lot of offers to fight elsewhere,” said Alvarez, who said he was “particularly happy to get back in the ring and fight in Jalisco, where I’m from.”
John Ryder, WBO challenger, delivered his last fight in November, dominating his compatriot Zach Parker by technical knockout.
“Canelo is one of the greatest and I have a lot of respect for what he has achieved in this sport, but I am convinced that the time has come for me to achieve my dream of becoming a world champion,” said he declared.