If Canelo Alvarez ever gets the desire to fight in Britain, then John Ryder is the ideal opponent. That’s the verdict of Eddie Hearn, who was ringside when Ryder defeated Daniel Jacobs via split decision on Saturday night.
Ryder, a victim of tight scorecards in the past, was the beneficiary of what appeared to be generous judging as his late rally was enough to get past the former two-time world champion. With Canelo the current ruler at 168lbs, Hearn believes that a British visit from the Mexican icon could see him share a ring with Ryder in the future.
“Saul obviously wants to fight in the UK,” said Hearn when speaking to DAZN in the ring during the fight’s immediate aftermath.
“He’s got his plans prepared and nearly locked in for this year, but I think if he wants to fight in the UK, he’s got the perfect opponent.
“You know, I don’t see any other super middleweights in their country have standout victories like that. John Ryder just beat Daniel Jacobs tonight. You know, and it was his attrition that got him through that fight, his desire to win that fight.
"He’s been on the end of a lot of bad decisions. Tonight was a very close fight, could’ve gone either way, but it was one that went his way.”