Undisputed 168-pound champions Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder on Friday put on weight for their pay-per-view bout Saturday at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico, near Alvarez’s hometown of Guadalajara.
The Mexican star weighs 167.5. half a pound below the division limit. Ryder weighs 168.
The boxers engaged for about 40 seconds staring down after they stepped off the scale but did not exchange words or shake hands afterward.
Alvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) recovered from a loss to 175-pound belt holder Dmitry Bivol last May by beating rival Gennadiy Golovkin in their third bout in September. He then had to have surgery to repair his injured left wrist, getting through a difficult year.
He was asked about the idea that Gervonta Davis has replaced him as the face of the sport.
“I’m still here, I’m still here,” said the 32-year-old. “I lost to one of the best boxers at 175. And here I am. I’m definitely still the face of boxing. The numbers talk, and that’s it. ,,,
“I’m here for a long time and I’ll show it to everyone.”
Ryder (32-5, 18 KOs) last fought in November, when he blocked Zach Parker for four rounds.
He was asked about the winning key for him on Saturday.
“Just be reasonable,” he said. “… We all know what he has, the aura that surrounds him. But… don’t let the fans get in my head, just focus.”
