John Ryder refuses to break from heated Canelo Alvarez pre-fight face-off

03 May 2023 , 21:44

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Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder faced off in Mexico tonight (Image: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing)

John Ryder refused to break the gaze of Canelo Alvarez as the pair faced off following their final press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico tonight.

The super-middleweight contender is a massive underdog with the bookies ahead of his away bout with Alvarez, who returns home for his first fight in Mexico in over a decade. He has earned his spot as the WBO mandatory to the pound-for-pound great but is being picked to lose by stoppage with many pundits and fans.

But that hasn't stopped the London native from putting his all into the contest, with his intensity showing during a heated face-off in Guadalajara this evening. The pair went head-to-head for over 30 seconds before Alvarez decided to turn around and continue posing for photos, breaking his rival's gaze.

"It's been great to finish camp in Los Angeles and move to Guadalajara which feels like home," Ryder told media at today's press conference. "I'd like to thank Eddie Hearn and Matchroom as well as Saul and Canelo promotions for this opportunity and also my team Tony Simms, Dan Lawrence, Charlie Simms and Greg.

"This is a great opportunity for me, many times in my career this looked like a name in the distance but it is finally upon us and I don't want to waste this opportunity. I appreciate the level of the task at hand for me but I have left no stone unturned in this camp and the aim is still to come away victorious this Saturday.

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"We've prepared meticulously, we know what Saul brings to the table and we have got the best of sparring, the best of training, best of strength and conditioning, best of cardio, best of everything. We are preparing for the best fighter in the world."

Do you believe John Ryder can beat Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night in Mexico? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Alvarez and Ryder will go head-to-head once more before their pay-per-view title fight at the weigh-ins on Friday, with the Brit attempting to take as many chances as he can to get into his rival's head. The pair previously had two press conferences in Mexico and California, but the talking appears to be done for both men.

"He's a good fighter," Alvarez said previously of Ryder, despite his massive underdog tag. "He's a good fighter. He has had a lot of good fights and beat a lot of good guys. So I like him for my return and see what my hands feel. So I feel like it's a perfect fight for me right now.

"Look, every fighter is dangerous, right? But you feel this kind of level. I can do anything with any fighter. So he's a good fighter, and he's going to be a good fighter. At the end of the day, I'm going to win."

Donagh Corby