Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (58-2-2, 39KOs) has fired back regarding comments from Juan Manuel Marquez, who has criticised Canelo’s choice of opponent in John Ryder (32-5, 18KOs). Canelo and Ryder will meet in the ring on May 6th in Guadalajara, Mexico. May 6th will mark the undisputed super-middleweight champion’s first fight in Mexico in twelve years since he fought Kermit Cintron in 2011.
Marquez, a four-weight world champion, has taken aim at Canelo and has criticised him for not facing his fellow Mexican David Benavidez. Benavidez, who starred last time against Caleb Plant, is undefeated, but Marquez felt that Canelo had downplayed Benavidez’s worth regarding any proposed contest.
Marquez believes Canelo’s latest mandatory challenger Ryder is just a “regular fighter, from mid-level on down.”
“When you are world champion, you have to face whoever, be it Mexican, European,” added Marquez. “As a champion, I would want to show the world that ‘I’m at a higher level and you’re not going to beat me.’”
Canelo has responded to Marquez’s critique to the Associated Press “All of that is part of this there was always criticism at the past and there continues to be criticism,” Canelo told the AP. “It is a division between the haters and those who support me, which fortunately there are more of.”
“[Marquez] has always been envious, but his words do not affect me and I do not take them into account,” added Canelo.
