CANELO ALVAREZ is set to make his Mexican homecoming on May 6 against Britain’s John Ryder.
The boxing superstar will stay at super-middleweight to defend his titles against Ryder at the 50,000-seat Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.
Canelo, 32, said: “I feel really happy to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back.
“Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I’m from, makes me especially happy.
“And in John Ryder, I’m facing a very competitive fighter.”
Canelo lost to Dmitry Bivol, 32, when he challenged for the WBA light-heavyweight title last May.
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But he returned to 168lb in September to beat ageing rival Gennady Golovkin, 40, in their trilogy bout.
Hand surgery then followed for the four-division champion, who wants to rematch Bivol in September following his return bout.
Meanwhile, Ryder, 34, earned his shot at Canelo after winning the WBO interim belt against Zach Parker, 28, in November.
He said: “There’s no denying that Canelo is one of the greats and I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s achieved in the sport but I fully believe this is my time fulfil my dream of becoming a world champion.
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“I’m not going over there for a holiday. For me this is purely business and my full focus is on going into his backyard in Guadalajara on May 6 and bringing those belts back with me to the UK.
“I want to thank the team, Tony and Charlie Sims and Matchroom Boxing for making this happen.”
Ryder will be the EIGHTH English opponent in the career of Canelo, who fights back home for the first time since 2011.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “This is a moment that will be forever engrained in the history of boxing and Mexican sport.
“Canelo Alvarez defending his undisputed championship in his hometown in front of 50,000 fans will be an incredible sight and a night we will never forget.
“In John Ryder, you have a mandatory challenger that has paid his dues and off the back of big wins against Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker is ready for the ultimate challenge.
“See you May 6 in Guadalajara for something very special, live on DAZN.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
