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Saul "Canelo" Alvarez (58-2-2, 28 KO) is back home in Guadalajara, Mexico for the first time in over a decade to fight John "The Gorilla" Ryder (32-5-0, 18 KO) Saturday night at Akron Stadium in a winner-takes-all affair. The fighter to come out on top will also receive a commemorative WBC belt.
The "Puebla/Jalisco belt" is the newest special trophy created by the sanctioning body. They will give it to winners of boxing matches that take place on or around May 5 (Batalla de Puebla) and September 16 (Mexico's Independence Day).
Canelo vs. Ryder live commentary from Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico
Canelo Alvarez defeats John Ryder
Canelo defeats Ryder via unanimous decision and is still the undisputed super middleweight champion of the world.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The fighters tapped gloves to start the final frame. Canelo did everything to get the KO, but Ryder proved he is a worthy opponent with the heart of a champion. Alvarez manages to keep his four belts, though it wasn't as easy as many expected.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The home crowd likely won't get to see the KO that Canelo promised, but he's definitely going to win in his return to Mexico, barring any late surprises.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The pace slowed down drastically in Round 10 as Canelo seemingly looked to avoid getting surprised with a KO from Ryder. The Mexican will win by unanimous decision if he simply surviives the final two rounds.
Canelo vs. Ryder
Round 9 saw Canelo ease up on his hunt for a KO. Ryder is not giving up and even taunted Alvarez.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The Mexican fighter clearly does not want the fight to go the distance, but Ryder has shown a ton of heart by refusing to get knocked out. Canelo managed to put Ryder on his back right before the end of Round 8 and remains in control.
Canelo vs. Ryder
Round 7 was more of Canelo looking for the knockout blow and Ryder landing some sneaky power punches.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The Gorilla refused to go down easily in the sixth round when Canelo made him wobble with a counterpunch. Canelo was so busy looking for the KO strike that he may have given up the middle round.
Canelo vs. Ryder
Round 5 saw Ryder let loose a bit more, which paved the way for a knockdown. Ryder got back up, but looked stunned. Canelo was unable to finish off his opponent in the fifth stanza.
Canelo vs. Ryder
Canelo hounded Ryder all throughout the fourth round, though the bloodied British fighter did not back down.
Canelo vs. Ryder
Round 3 started with a powerful shot by Canelo that gave Ryder a bloody nose. The UK fighter managed to sneak in some punches, but still lost the round.
Canelo vs. Ryder
The Mexican fighter connected a few punches in the second frame and looked much more comfortable than Ryder.
Canelo vs. Ryder
A static start for Canelo in the opening round as Ryder tried to hurt the Mexican boxer early on in the fight.
Canelo vs. Ryder is underway
John "The Gorilla" Ryder walked out to "My Sacrifice" by Creed. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez walked out to an "Eye of the Tiger" remix. Then, a mariachi band made up of 150 played while the champion entered the ring.
Canelo, Ryder preparing to take the ring
Alvarez, the face of boxing, ready to fight Ryder.
Canelo vs. Ryder main card
Julio Cesar Martinez def. Ronal Batista via Round 11 TKO, retains WBC flyweight title
Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela def. Steve Spark via split decision, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
Nathan Devon Rodriguez def. Alexander Mejia via majority decision, 10 rounds, featherweights
Oleksandr Gvozdyk def. Ricards Bolotniks via Round 6 TKO in light-heavyweight bout of up to 10 rounds
Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder weight
Canelo weighed in at 167.5 pounds while Ryder ed at 168.
Canelo vs. Ryder start time and venue
The Canelo vs. Ryder fight card starts at 19:00 ET and the main event should begin around 23:00 ET from Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.
How to watch Canelo vs. Ryder
Canelo vs. Ryder is priced at $54.99 on PPV. It will also be available on DAZN with a subscription.
Canelo Alvarez vs. John Ryder
Welcome to the MARCA English LIVE commentary. Follow all the action between Canelo and Ryder right here.
Alvarez, 32, is coming off a unanimous decision victory in the trilogy fight against Gennady "GGG" Golovkin, but is still lamenting the loss to Dmitry Bivol one bout prior.
Bivol, 32, remains on Canelo's radar and the fight against Ryder is considered to be an easy matchup for the Mexican boxer, a tune-up before the rematch against the second man to beat him on the ring.
Ryder, 34, has more experience than the undefeated Bivol, who made Canelo go up in weight for their fight, but Alvarez is out for blood.
Boxing pundits are calling Gervonta "Tank" Davis the new face of the sport following his knockout win over Ryan Garcia. Canelo did not take those comments lightly.
Alvarez believes he will be the face of boxing until deciding to retire. He will be hunting a KO finish in front of what's sure to be a roaring home crowd.
All four of Canelo's belts (WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF) are on the line, while Ryder has nothing to lose. It's possible he can become the new undisputed super middleweight champion with one fell swoop.
The Canelo vs. Ryder fight card starts at 19:00 ET and the main event should begin around 23:00 ET.
Canelo vs. Ryder is priced at $54.99 on PPV. It will also be available on DAZN with a subscription.
Follow all the action right here on the MARCA English LIVE commentary.
Canelo wants Bivol next
During his postfight interview, Canelo insisted on wanting to fight Dmitry Bivol next, and wants to do so at 175 pounds.