Mexican boxing legend Saúl Canelo Álvarez is gearing up to defend his Undisputed Super-Middleweight title against John Ryder on Saturday, May 6, 2023. This highly anticipated match will take place at the iconic Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, and will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
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A Homecoming Decades in the Making
After over 11 long years, Canelo is finally returning to his home country to showcase his skills and defend his title. With an impressive record of 58-2-2 and 39 knockouts, the champion is determined to prove his supremacy once again. Canelo secured the Undisputed title by defeating Caleb Plant in Las Vegas last November, and this will be his second defense of the prestigious belt. It’s worth noting that Canelo’s last fight in Mexico took place over 4,000 days ago when he successfully defended his WBO World Light-Middleweight title against Kermit Cintron in Mexico City.
CANELO VS. RYDER FIGHT DATE AND START TIME
- Date: Saturday, May 6
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 a.m. BST (Sunday)
- Main event ringwalks (approx): 11:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 a.m. BST (Sunday)
The fight will be available for live streaming on DAZN in over 200 countries, including the U.S. and Canada. The Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, will be the historic venue for this captivating event. The main card is scheduled to kick off at 5 p.m. ET local time, with the main event ringwalks set for 11 p.m. ET.
Canelo: A Boxing Icon
The upcoming match against Ryder will mark Canelo’s 63rd professional fight. As a four-weight world champion, he has been an integral part of the boxing world for nearly 18 years. This bout will be particularly special as it coincides with Cinco de Mayo weekend, making it Canelo’s 35th fight on home soil. Furthermore, the state of Jalisco will be celebrating 200 years of independence, adding great significance to the occasion.
John Ryder: A Worthy Challenger
John Ryder, the WBO mandatory challenger, is eager to upset the odds and spoil the celebration in Mexico. The 34-year-old Londoner boasts an impressive record of 32-5 with 18 knockouts. In his last fight, Ryder clinched the WBO interim title after Zach Parker retired on his stool in the fourth round. Notably, Ryder’s career-best victory came against former Middleweight ruler Daniel Jacobs. Throughout his career, he has also faced formidable opponents such as Billy Joe Saunders, Rocky Fielding, and Callum Smith in his pursuit of the Super-Middleweight World crown.
An Emotional Journey for Canelo
Canelo’s return to Mexico after such a lengthy absence adds a deeply emotional element to this bout. With Ryder determined to challenge the champion, the stage is set for an exhilarating fight that will captivate fans worldwide.
“I am thrilled to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was uncertain about my return,” said Canelo. “Returning to the ring and fighting in Jalisco, my hometown, makes me especially happy. John Ryder is a highly competitive fighter, and I look forward to this matchup.”
Ryder’s Ambitious Dream
Acknowledging Canelo’s greatness, Ryder acknowledges the challenge ahead but is resolute in his desire to become a World champion. “There’s no denying that Canelo is one of the greats, and I have a lot of respect for his achievements,” said Ryder. “However, I believe that this is my time to fulfill my dream. I am fully focused on going into Canelo’s backyard in Guadalajara on May 6 and bringing those belts back with me to the UK. I am grateful to my team, Tony and Charlie Sims, and Matchroom Boxing for making this opportunity possible.”
For more information about this fight and other exciting events, visit 5 WS. Stay tuned for an unforgettable night of boxing as Canelo Alvarez defends his title against John Ryder.
