Canelo Alvarez opens talks to return against Brit John Ryder with boxing superstar in line for massive UK debut fight
CANELO ALVAREZ has opened talks to face Britain’s John Ryder – and could be in line for a massive UK boxing debut.
The Mexican wants to avenge his light-heavyweight loss to Dmitry Bivol next September but will return in a May fight beforehand.
And after beating Gennady Golovkin, 40, last September in their trilogy bout, Canelo, 32, retained his undisputed super-middleweight crown.
And Ryder, 34, became the WBO mandatory challenger after beating Zach Parker, 28, in November.
It puts him in line for a shot at Canelo and promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed negotiations are underway.
He told DAZN: “I’ve been speaking to Eddie Reynoso and the team over the last couple of days; we’re negotiating that fight at the moment.
“Obviously, Canelo’s got options, it doesn’t have to be John Ryder, but he is the mandatory.
“We’re trying to agree on a deal with Canelo Alvarez, and we’re trying to agree to a deal with John Ryder as well.
“We’d like to see that fight internationally, something a little bit different for Saul, and hopefully we can conclude a deal for that in the coming weeks.”
Venues in Europe, America and the Middle East are all options for Canelo, which could pave the way for a UK debut.
Hearn said: “UK, Middle East, even the US, Mexico.
“Saul can fight anywhere, but it’s always been a plan of mine to take him around the world, and I’d love to be a part of it.”
Canelo was beaten by WBA light-heavyweight champion Bivol, 32, in May 2022 but the pair are lined up to rematch later this year.