Is the end in sight for Canelo Alvarez? Well, it might be as one of the tropes we often see in the twilight of a fighter’s career is the victory lap at home, and on May 6th, Canelo Alvarez will fight John Ryder, for all four of the 168 lbs world titles that Alvarez holds in the division. For Alvarez the fight signals the first time he will fight in Mexico in more than a decade. Alvarez has become a global star, but one might forget, he was a star in Mexico, first-and-foremost.
The bout wil take place at the AKtron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, on May 6th, and will be part of a DAZN pay-per-view telecast. So far none of the accompanying bouts have been brought to light as of now.
“I feel really happy to be coming back in May, because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back,” Alvarez via a press release. “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.”
The fight is sneaky tough. John Ryder has been wrongly labeled a journeyman, but could and in some people’s eyes should have wins over Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding, both of whom faced Canelo Alvarez prior in his career. Ryder had a brilliant 2022 in which he defeated Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker - which put him in position to land this fight. While Canelo is coming to terms with his existence in the sport, Ryder is arguably as confident as ever.
Alvarez could have fought anywhere in the world, but has opted to fight back in Mexico, and more so in Jalisco - bringing one of the biggest fights of the year to his native land. Sometimes actors receive lifetime achievement awards for Alvarez this seems to signify his greatness in the sport, and all that he has accomplished as though he won’t bask in all of his glory, it does appear Alvarez is feeling good to finally come back to the land in which he started his career.
“I had many offers to fight in many places, but I never thought about it. I always wanted to come here, return to my land, return as the best in the world. It is a pride to be here, I do it with my heart, giving people the opportunity to see me fight here motivates me a lot,” said Alvarez. “The first thing I want is for people who can’t buy a ticket or who can’t go to Las Vegas to have the opportunity to see me here in Guadalajara, and to be able to donate a part of the money to a foundation here in Guadalajara. We are going to do this event.”
