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Home » EXCLUSIVE: John Ryder talks Bilal Akkawy, Canelo v Jacobs prediction

EXCLUSIVE: John Ryder talks Bilal Akkawy, Canelo v Jacobs prediction

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British super-middleweight contender John Ryder is taking Canelo v Jacobs Las Vegas fight week in his stride ahead of a huge event on Saturday night.

After missing out on a co-feature bout with David Lemieux due to an injury to the French-Canadian, Ryder saw himself bumped down the card.

Australian Bilal Akkawy was drafted in, but the key news for Ryder was that the interim WBA title would still be on the line.

‘The Gorilla’ is now set for the biggest fight of his life on one of the grandest stages of all at the T-Mobile Arena on a Canelo Alvarez undercard.

Discussing events from Nevada, Ryder in enjoying being part of a massive DAZN televised show.

“Everything is great so far and it’s heading into fight week now,” Ryder exclusively told World Boxing News. “This atmosphere has been fairly calm considering I’m in Vegas, but I have a job to do.

“I’m not taking in the Vegas bright lights as of yet until fight night comes.”

With camp behind him, Ryder is in the best shape he can be.

“Training has been great out here (in the US). We finished camp in LA and we based ourselves at Garcia’s Gym Riverside. We had great sparring and solid preparation. So I feel ready to go.

“I’ve been very focussed since arriving in Las Vegas and I’ve zoned out. Vegas is a great city, but I’m not exactly here on a Vegas holiday. I’m here to take care of business come fight night. I’m looking forward to enjoying it afterward.

“I’ve had a look in the arena and the T-Mobile is a great stage. It reminds me of home (at The O2). There really isn’t a bad seat in there.

“I expect a great crowd and it’s a really great card to be part of.”


CANELO v JACOBS

Asked for his views on the main event, which if Canelo wins could potentially mean a future collision, Ryder concluded: “It’s a great fight. Canelo is an elite fighter.

“He’s only 28 and some say he’s already becoming a hall of famer. He definitely sits as one of the best pound for pound in the world (WBN number two). You can argue that his is the best in the world.

“But on Jacobs, I think he has a tough night ahead. Danny is ‘The Miracle Man’. He’s big, he’s fast and he’s smart!

“Danny brings a lot to the table and he’s a world champion. You can see he wants to be number one and I think there’s an argument that he could possibly beat Canelo.  But let’s see, it’s an exciting fight for everyone.

“As far as a prediction goes, I’m leaning more towards Canelo on points. I think Jacobs will be a credit to himself in this fight, and it’s going to be close I feel.”

Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay