All the questions have been asked, and the final verbal jabs have been thrown. We are less than 24 hours away from the weigh-in where Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) will defend his undisputed super middleweight crown against the interim WBO champ John Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs). Outside of the titles being on the line, this fight means more to Canelo and the people of Mexico who have adopted him as their son as they did for the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez many years ago. This homecoming, which will be in front of an estimated 50,000 screaming fans, will be the biggest boxing event the country has held since Chavez fought at the Azteca Stadium in front of 134,000 fans in 1993.
WILL ‘CANELO’ SUCCUMB TO THE PRESSURE OF PERFORMING AT HOME, OR IS IT ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE?
Canelo vs John Ryder is coming to a theater near you on May 6, 2023.
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 4, 2023
Find a location here: https://t.co/9VaoxHG2E1 pic.twitter.com/TG26T2WFEQ
Everyone wants to believe that Canelo Alvarez is this machine that doesn’t get hurt, tired, or battle internal emotions, but he isn’t. Canelo is a human being that goes through all of those things, whether it’s public knowledge or not. He’s been a professional fighter for nearly eighteen years and has been at the top of the mountain for quite some time. On Saturday night, he will be walking out to a massive crowd in his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico, where he dreamed of being in this exact position as a kid. Will the pressure or the moment be too big for Canelo? I doubt it, as he does a great job of compartmentalizing the things he has going in his head. This will indeed be another day at the office for him, which is bad news for Ryder.
CAN JOHN RYDER HAVE SUCCESS EVEN THOUGH HIS STYLE IS TAILOR-MADE FOR CANELO?
Can the "English Canelo" spring the upset? 🦍#CaneloRyder | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/wwJyYghgzZ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 4, 2023
Although Ryder is a southpaw, which is a stance that has given Canelo some issues in the past, he doesn’t possess the skills necessary to make it work for him. Ryder isn’t a bad fighter, and he would be extremely competitive against most guys, but facing Canelo is levels above anyone else. He has an aggressive style, and when he comes charging in and tries to unleash his offense, Ryder will find himself on the receiving end of a left hook to the body, and he may also be open to a right uppercut. Canelo is too savvy defensively and will perry some shots to find his opening, expose it and send Ryder down and out for the screaming fans to enjoy.
SAUL ‘CANELO’ ALVAREZ VS. JOHN RYDER PREDICTION
I don’t expect this fight to go 12 rounds, as the style clash says it won’t reach the final bell. Ryder will make the mistake of trying to jump on Canelo early in the fight while Canelo observes and gets his timing down. Canelo will also lightly test that hand, but once he gets warmed up, Canelo will unleash those vintage body and counter shots that Ryder will not be ready for and will take him out in the later rounds—Canelo by TKO in the eighth round.
SAUL ‘CANELO’ ALVAREZ VS. JOHN RYDER BETTING ODDS
Per BetOnline.ag, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez is the favorite at -2000, and John Ryder is the underdog at +1000.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: Under 8 ½ rounds (-115)
John Ryder: Over 8 ½ rounds (-115)
SAUL ‘CANELO’ ALVAREZ VS. JOHN RYDER FIGHT DATE, START TIME
- Date: Saturday, April 22
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET/ 4:00 p.m. PT
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:30 p.m. ET/ 8:30 p.m PT
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
WHAT CHANNEL/STREAM IS SAUL ‘CANELO’ ALVAREZ VS. JOHN RYDER?
- U.S.: DAZN PPV ($54.99 if you are a subscriber) & PPV.com ($79.99)
- (PPV.com does not require a subscription, and Spanish audio is available)
- UK: DAZN