Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will defend his belts against Britain’s John Ryder on May 6 in Mexico.
The bout at Akron Stadium in Guadalajara will be Alvarez’s first fight in his home country in over 11 years.
Alvarez, 32, defended his undisputed crown against Gennady Golovkin in September in their trilogy fight.
Ryder, a 34-year-old Londoner, is a mandatory contender according to the WBO.
Ryder has 32 wins and five losses in 37 fights, with his previous world title loss to Callum Smith on points in 2019.
In November, he defeated Zach Parker for the vacant WBO interim super middleweight title.
A four-weight world champion, Alvarez will be fighting in his 63rd fight, with a record of 58 wins, two losses and two draws.
He won the IBF title from Caleb Plant in November 2021 to add to his WBA, WBC and WBO belts.
The Mexican says he is “happy” to return to the ring after wrist surgery in late 2022.
“I wasn’t sure when I would be back,” Alvarez said. “Returning to the ring and returning to the fight in Jalisco, where I come from, makes me especially happy.
“And in John Ryder, I faced a very competitive fighter.”
Ryder added: “There’s no denying Canelo is one of the greats and I have a lot of respect for his achievements in the sport, but I fully believe now is my time to fulfill my dream of becoming a world champion.”
