Super-middleweight contender John Ryder remains in the race for a September 14 date with Canelo Alvarez, but says he fancies a rematch with former foe Billy Joe Saunders if a fight with the Mexican star fails to materialise.
WBO super-middleweight champion Saunders narrowly outpointed Ryder in their middleweight days, taking the Islington man’s unbeaten record with a wafer-thin unanimous decision in September 2013. Scores of 115-113 (twice) and 115-114 reflect the small margins involved in that British and Commonwealth middleweight title fight.
A return never really seemed likely when Saunders was promoted by Frank Warren, but now both men are affiliated with Eddie Hearn a rematch is an intriguing possibility. The Islington southpaw has since proved himself at world level having lost another close call on the cards to WBA Super 168lbs champion Callum Smith in November 2019.
“I want to right all these wrongs,” Ryder (28-5, 16 KOs) told Sky Sports. “The Billy Joe fight was close. I believe I nicked it. He believes he nicked it.
“We get on well and the rematch didn’t materialise with rival promoters, but now we’re under the same promotional banner, these fights will be easy to make.
“I want to fight any of the champions. Ideally, get the rematch with Billy Joe or Callum Smith, the likes of [WBC champion] David Benavidez and [IBF title-holder] Caleb Plant. I just want the best fights out there.”