Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez v John Ryder: Mexican champion sends fans into frenzy at weigh-in

Alvarez (left) volition effort to support his IBF, WBA, WBO and WBC titles against Ryder

Saul 'Canelo Alvarez sent thousands of fans successful his location metropolis into a frenzy astatine a spectacular weigh-in astatine Teatro Degollado successful Guadalajara.

The champion weighed successful astatine precisely the 12st (168lb) limit, with Ryder marginally nether astatine 11.99st (167lb).

"I'm gladsome to beryllium present with my people," 32-year-old Alvarez said. "I emotion everybody, I emotion my fans."

Ryder, 34, is simply a immense underdog against a four-weight satellite champion wide considered the look of boxing.

The Londoner said: "I consciousness good. It's bully to get each this retired of the way. Get back, rehydrated, replenish and get acceptable to spell time night."

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'I've ne'er seen thing similar it' - Hearn

An authoritative weigh-in - not unfastened to the nationalist oregon media - was hosted down closed doors astatine a adjacent edifice earlier connected Friday.

Later that afternoon, a ceremonial weigh-in purely for amusement was, rather fittingly, held astatine the striking theatre.

With a capableness of conscionable 800, lone a prime fig - chiefly section schoolchildren - were invited wrong the lavish building, with its reddish and golden walls, classical artwork and murals of Greek mythology gods.

"I'm gladsome the kids tin beryllium motivated by maine and look up to me. That's astonishing for me. I consciousness arrogant of it," Alvarez said.

Before some men took to the scales, determination was the watering of a histrion which volition aboriginal beryllium planted successful Guadalajara, the presumption of a aureate olive wreath shaped crown which volition beryllium fixed to the victor and a mariachi set who played immoderate assemblage favourites.

Less than a twelve Ryder fans, 1 wearing a gorilla people successful homage to the fighter's nickname, were drowned retired by the boisterous Mexican fans.

Alvarez wore his trademark silk decorator pyjamas and his girl flew the Mexican emblem successful the beforehand enactment arsenic the theatre erupted.

The attendance outside, however, was a magnificent sight. Several 1000 fans lined up connected the plaza. Separated from Alvarez by railings and a immense constabulary presence, they chanted 'Vamos [let's go], Canelo'.

Fans and media surrounded Alvarez's car pursuing the weigh-in

Photographers, broadcasters and immoderate fans surrounded the champion's car arsenic helium attempted to marque a getaway.

"It's madness. My cervix has gone from the constabulary escorts taking america done the streets of Guadalajara," promoter Eddie Hearn said.

"There's radical hanging to get a glimpse of their hero. I've ne'er seen thing similar it. The metropolis is going to erupt time night.

"This is going to beryllium 1 of the top atmosphere's you've ever seen successful the past of boxing."

'Ryder is dangerous'

Ryder, who won the WBO interim rubric against Briton Zach Parker successful November, is the mandatory challenger for Alvarez's belt.

"I cognize he's a bully fighter, idiosyncratic who's wanted this accidental for a agelong time," Alvarez said. "He's a unsafe combatant - a southpaw. But I've been successful this presumption galore times. I'm ready."

Despite his accomplishments successful the sport, determination are immoderate suggestions Alvarez whitethorn nary longer beryllium successful his prime.

He moved up to light-heavyweight and was outclassed by champion Dimitry Bivol successful May 2022.

Despite having won a satellite rubric astatine light-heavyweight, it is not Alvarez's earthy warring weight, and Ryder does not consciousness his hostile is past his best.

"Not astatine all," helium said. "Bivol is an exceptional talent. I recovered the measurement up to 175lb from Canelo a spot odd. Bivol was bigger, younger, fresher."

In September Alvarez bushed rival Gennady Golovkin connected points successful their trilogy bout, but galore expected him to triumph by stoppage. Following the bout, Alvarez had country connected his near hand.

"The Golovkin combat was underwhelming - helium didn't get the knockout everyone was expecting. But helium inactive bushed him convincingly," Ryder said.

"But we don't cognize however Canelo is going to travel out, what's near successful the vessel and if determination are immoderate long-lasting issues with his caller wrist surgery."