By Sam Volz: Tim Bradley predicts Canelo Alvarez having a difficult time on May 6th with challenger John Ryder when the two battle at a still-to-be-determined venue in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Bradley feels that Canelo (58-2-2, 39 KOs) is “going through the motions” at this stage of his 18-year professional career and has “lost the spirit” that he once had due to the outside businesses that he’s got going on.
Canelo’s decision to move his next fight to Mexico is a good idea, according to Bradley, because he feels he’ll get his motivation back by him being back where he started his career.
Bradley feels that Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) will push a fast pace that could give Canelo a lot of issues if he’s not at his best for this fight. If Canelo loses to Ryder, it would be pointless for him to face Dmitry Bivol in a rematch in September.
Canelo already has plans on fighting the rematch with Bivol at 168, and he’s clearly overlooking the threat Ryder presents to him.
With a net worth of $180 million, it’s understandable why Canelo is suddenly not looking impressive in his recent fights. When you add that Canelo has a passion for golf, it suggests that he’s not dedicating himself to boxing like he once did during his best years.
When you got the kind of money that Canelo has, it’s hard to keep tunnel vision the way you need to stay at the top of the sport.
Fighting at home helps Canelo
“Canelo wants the rematch with Dmitry Bivol in September, this time at 168 pounds,” said Mike Coppinger to ESPN+ about Canelo Alvarez’s plans for after his May 6th fight against John Ryder.
“John Ryder is going to be a major underdog in this fight. I think he’s earned this fight. He’s earned this opportunity. He beat Danny Jacobs in a close fight last year, and he was fighting well against Zach Parker and won that fight after Parker broke his hand, and I thought John Ryder beat Callum Smith in 2019 when he dropped that controversial decision.
“You’ve got Canelo Alvarez kind of taking a page out of Tyson Fury’s book. He’s going back home,” said Tim Bradley. “It’s pretty smart, but a little bit different. Fury can’t fight in this state. Let’s clear that up. He can’t fight in the states. He can’t fight in the States for various reasons.
“Canelo Alvarez, I think he needs this, I really do,” Bradley continued. “I went back and looked at his fight with GGG, the last fight he fought, and some would say he was hurt going into the fight. Well, that wasn’t an excuse. His performance, it wasn’t the greatest performance.
Has Canelo lost his spirit for boxing?
“It seems like he’s lost his spirit for the game. So going back home to where it all started, it’s a way of lifting a fighter. I truly believe Canelo is towards the end of his career; I really do. I think he’s toward the end. He’s on the decline now because of the way he fights, the way he’s fighting.
“It doesn’t seem like the sense of urgency in the ring. It seems like he’s going through the motions. He’s not entertained. It almost seems like outside stuff. Outside stuff is more important, like golf and family and businesses he’s created. That happens to a fighter.
“So, going home, Canelo. I’m glad you’re going home because you’re going to need it because this guy, Ryder. He comes to fight, and he’s not someone to play with, and yes. He will be an underdog, but he’s a live dog. This isn’t an easy cakewalk for Canelo Alvarez. This guy can really fight, and he fights hard in every round,” said Bradley.