By Jim Calfa: John Ryder says he believes he’s the “frontrunner” for undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez’s next fight in May on Cinco de Mayo holiday weekend.
Interim WBO 168-lb champion Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) states that Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) has until May 8th to defend against his WBO mandatory, or else he’ll be moved up to the full champion.
Ryder, 34, expects Canelo to announce early next year who he’ll be fighting next. The options for Canelo are now with Ryder and the winner of the Caleb Plant vs. David Benavidez fight being the likely options Canelo will choose from.
Of course, with Canelo, he could surprise people by taking a rematch with WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. That’s the fight that Canelo has already put off once.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the reason why Canelo isn’t fighting Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) in May is that he needs a tune-up to test out his surgically repaired left wrist.
“From what I hear, the WBO says he has until May 8th to defend or I’m upgraded,” said John Ryder to Secondsout about Canelo Alvarez needing to defend against his WBO 168-lb mandatory by May 8th or he’s stripped.
“I’m sure he’ll announce early next year what he’s going to do and who he’s going to do it against. Hopefully, and praying, I’m the man. We’ve got the interim [WBO 168-lb] title, so regardless of Canelo or not, there are other fights we can make.
“I’d like to be the man in the opposite corner on Cinco de Mayo or whenever it may be in London, Vegas, or Mexico. My name is in the hat and I’m pretty much the frontrunner,” said Ryder about him being the frontrunner for Canelo Alvarez’s next fight in May.
“You’ve got Benavidez and Plant fighting early next year. So that’ll put themselves at the #1 spot for the WBC title. I’m sure he’ll [Canelo] take care of business with me first, and then he’ll be looking for bigger things.
“I think the time is right to get Canelo. I think I had my best year last year. I think he had his worst. Losing to Bivol and then a slow performance against Golovkin. He’s obviously coming off an injury as well. So it’s all there to be seen,” said Ryder.
