Matchroom Boxing’s super-middleweight contender John Ryder would like to have a big return before the end of the year following his valiant performance in May when he tested and pushed Canelo Alvarez in Mexico in attempting to secure undisputed world title glory.
Ryder was unsuccessful in his attempt in Mexico to dethorne Alvarex ultimately losing an unanimous decision with Ryder having to rise to his feet after meeting the canvas in round five.
John, 35 years-old, drew plaudits for his performance however when speaking to Boxing News he thought he would have at least an offer for another big fight opportunity by now.
“There is probably a target on my back not that [the] phone’s rung as much as I thought it would’ve,” he told Boxing News.
“I thought there would’ve been fights offered by now. Been a bit quiet. It gives me some time to recover and get ready. I’m hopeful for these big fights because I wanna fight the best whether it be in the UK or Stateside.”
John admits that his best years may be now behind as he reaches the twilight of his career despite his stock now seemingly at an all time career high. The super-middleweight titles are still currently in possession of Canelo who is set to defend the respective titles against Jermell Charlo on September 30th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ryder believes still the titles being in the sole possession of one man is still hoping for a major fight with a major name in the 168 lb division.
“For me now, it’s the biggest and best fights. For me it’s about fighting these people. Golovkin if he’s still going to carry on, Plant, Munguia, Benavidez, Berlanga. I want the biggest and best fights out there for me.”
Ryder’s preferred name he would like to face would be Golovki. He feels that there are a lot of similarities between them with their best days in the ring behind them with the Kazahk Golovkin now 41-years-old.
“I think we’re in a similar position,” Ryder said.
“He’s a bit older than me, granted, probably our best days are behind us. He might not have the timing or the speed anymore, but he’s still got that vicious punch and that will never leave him till the day he dies. He’s going to be a danger throughout the fight no matter what.”
Ultimately John concedes that the phone has got to start ringing again with offers to get himself back in the ring despite his best wishes to face Golovkin. Despite John’s lengthy career and years he feels that he is still more than a “tough nights work” for anyone.
“I hope that the phone starts ringing and offers start coming in because I feel like I deserve to be in these big fights. I think I’m a tough night’s work for anyone, so they need to be on their A-game.
“I’ve had a lot of fights on the road now it’d be nice to come back home and have some in the UK but the types of fighters like Golovkin you’ve got to expect a bit of the B-side. I’ll travel wherever I’ve gotta go.”
