SPARK AND RYDE
Smith’s ‘scrap’ tips to topple Alvarez
CALLUM SMITH believes John Ryder needs to push the pace against Canelo Alvarez if he is to speed off with the supermiddleweight crown.
The Liverpool light-heavyweight has the experience of sharing the ring with both fighters who will tussle it out in Guadalajara, Mexico, this weekend.
Smith, 33, outpointed British rival Ryder back in 2019 in a defence of the WBA supermiddleweight title.
Then he stepped up to face Mexican superstar Alvarez in 2020 but fell short with a wide loss on the cards.
Now Ryder is getting the crack as the
EIGHTH British fighter to face the biggest name in boxing.
Smith believes Alvarez now prefers to fight at a slower pace since moving up the weights and Ryder’s best chance of a mighty upset is by putting him under pressure.
“I think what I’ve always said about Canelo is that when he goes higher up in weight, his punch output isn’t the best,” said the Scouse scrapper.
“When he was down at 154lb he was a very good combination puncher, whereas now, the heavier he goes, he seems to rely on ones and twos and loads up on his power. He looks for his breathers and doesn’t fight at the best of paces.
“For John and John’s style it is no good doing what (Dmitry) Bivol did (when he beat Canelo last year), which is use his legs, he’s got to go in there and try to make it uncomfortable for him.
“He needs to make it scrappy at times and maybe frustrate Canelo if he is coming out to put in an eye-catching performance. John could frustrate him, he has to do whatever it takes.”
Smith does fear that the return to his homeland could inspire Alvarez to rediscover his best.
The Mexican will fight in the country for the first time in almost 12 years when he takes on Ryder in front of almost 60,000 fans at Estadio Akron on the outskirts of Guadalajara.
But he is coming off a defeat by Bivol last year, which was followed by a somewhat sluggish display in beating Gennady Golovkin and then wrist surgery.
“It’s a tough ask for John, Canelo is a very good fighter and we are waiting to see what Canelo is like,” added Smith.
“He lost to Bivol and then he didn’t look great against GGG in the rematch, in my opinion.
Has he plateaued out or is a long, tough career starting to get to him?
“He’s only 32 but he’s been fighting at a high level for a long time. I know people are starting to say he’s on the slide a little but we will know more after this weekend.
“Fighting at home could bring a little more motivation out of himself to go out and put a performance in. I wish John all the best but I think Canelo has a point to prove.”