John Ryder Says Plan Is To Beat Canelo Alvarez, Ask Him ‘When Do You Want The Rematch?’

John Ryder believes he will face Canelo Alvarez twice this year.

Ryder is set to go down to Guadalajara, Mexico on May 6 to face Alvarez for all four 168lbs titles. Although Ryder is the mandatory challenger, many believe it is a tune-up fight for Alvarez and Ryder is well-aware of that.

“Look, I know there has been a lot of negativity towards me as the choice of opponent. Let’s be fair, people just want to see him fight Benavidez or do the Bivol rematch,” Ryder said. “But in his words, he’s coming back from injury and he wants to test everything out – and I’m that test. But listen, I’ve got other plans, why would I care what people think? I don’t really care what people say about me or what they think about the fight. If anything it will push me on.

“I have a job to do so now it is about me making sure I do that to the best of my ability, not worry about what people say about the fight,” Ryder continued. “It means I will be proving a lot of people wrong doesn’t it Since I’ve been back in England I’ve had a lot of well wishers. Nobody has called me a wanker yet but there’s still time for that. Nobody has told me I’m going to get smashed yet – obviously on social media they have, many times. But out and about people have been wishing me luck and it’s been nice.”

Although John Ryder is not the opponent many fans wanted to see Canelo Alvarez fight next, Ryder is confident he will get his hand raised. He believes he has all the tools to upset Alvarez and after he does, he will have one simple question, when does Alvarez want the rematch?

“We got the first draft through three weeks ago and that got changed, a few amendments which got handled pretty quickly. We signed it early in March and then we did the press tour,” Ryder added. “I know there was an issue with Mexican broadcast rights and DAZN which held things up a bit. But it’s full steam ahead for us now, Eddie has a part in the promotion albeit as a co-promotion with Canelo, and I’m set on making history. I’m happy with it, we’re both getting paid. It’s good for everyone. There’s a rematch clause, on his side obviously, not mine. But that’s the plan; beat him May 6 and then ask him ‘when do you want the rematch?’ I’m thinking bring it back to the UK or go to Vegas for that one.”

Do you think John Ryder will beat Canelo Alvarez?