John Ryder is in Phoenix this weekend, ready to take on the second Mexican of his career in the unrelenting, and so far unanswered, Jaime Munguia. 

And just like every fight around the 168lb mark, the winner will throw themselves right into the Canelo Alvarez conversation. 

Ryder himself is still feeling the after-effects of his bout with Alvarez nine months ago, which were primarily positive in the wake of a lionhearted defeat. 

Sure, a rematch isn’t high on Canelo’s agenda, but a battle with the 42-fight Munguia might well be. See, Munguia brings an appeal that a Canelo fight hasn’t quite had for a few years. 

He’s a young, fast-thinking, unceasing bull of a fighter, who in many ways feels as if he has been moulded and directed specifically to culminate in landing the Canelo payday. 

Of course, for this to happen, the 27-year-old will need to succeed on Saturday. 

It could well be one of Munguia’s hardest nights to date too, because unlike a portion of the 14 fights that have come since his 2018 world title win, this one is no cake walk. 

After all, you can’t run head-first into a gorilla. 

In fact, it was those exact words that Ryder himself said to me two years ago, as he eyed up Munguia following his heartbreaking defeat to Callum Smith in Liverpool. 

It was a desolate time for Ryder, who as well the opportunity to become world champion, felt as if he lost a route to the big fights. 

Danny Jacobs, Canelo Alvarez, and now Jaime Munguia would suggest different. 

But even away from his biggest nights, Ryder has always delivered on the entertainment front. One that, when mixed with a heavy set of stones, makes for the perfect boxing concoction. 

Saturday night may well be two fighters at different stages of their careers, but I can grant you one thing - this will be a barnstormer. 

Munguia’s approach will likely force Ryder into increasing his punch output, meaning there will be segments of pure exchange between the pair. 

It is also worth noting the iconic Freddie Roach will be behind Munguia for the first time this weekend. He, if anyone, has mastered the art of coaching aggression and ring control. 

Of course, this doesn’t come at the expense of defence either, so expect a tighter Munguia. 

Well, tighter than last time out anyway, when a seesaw slugfest nearly saw him lose his 0 to Sergiy Derevyanchenko back in June. 

One notable aspect from that night was the lack of Munguia’s ability to fight going backwards. No doubt trainer Tony Sims has prepared a gameplan to counter such issues. 

It really is an interesting story heading into Saturday, with Ryder undoubtedly the more experienced of the two despite having four less fights than the former world champion. 

Yet it is victory here that would sit as Ryder’s best during his 14-year professional career. 

So strap in, because I think we’re going to get a real treat. 

Oscar Bevis

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