The shadow of Dmitry Bivol looms over Canelo vs Ryder

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. That rebuild is still ongoing, and it continues on Saturday – 364 days since that loss to Bivol – when Canelo returns home to face John Ryder. The 32-year-old’s title defence against Ryder in Guadalajara is Canelo’s first fight on home soil in 12 years and his second outing since losing to Bivol. open image in gallery Dmitry Bivol thoroughly outboxed Canelo en route to a points win last May “Can you imagine people’s response if Canelo made Bivol drain down to 168lbs and beat him?” the Mexican's promoter, Eddie Hearn, asked iFL TV this week. You beat me, I need everything the same to prove I shouldn’t have lost that night, and to prove I can beat you.’ That’s what he’s thinking.” Regardless of the time, location and weight class, perhaps a rematch with the Russian is fated to play out in the same manner as their first contest, with an unblinking Bivol trapping Canelo against the ropes, overwhelming the shorter fighter with extended output and refusing to engage on Alvarez’s terms.