“There’s no place like home.”
Not only is that a memorable line from The Wizard of Oz, but it holds true for any boxer who fights in front of their hometown. We have seen that with Claressa Shields in Michigan and Anthony Joshua in England. Loyal fans will come in droves to see their favorite compete.
Canelo Alvarez will have that very experience when he fights in Mexico for the first time since 2011. The undisputed super middleweight champion defends his belts against John Ryder on May 6.
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“I feel really happy to be coming back in May because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I'd be coming back,” said Canelo. “Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I'm from, makes me especially happy. And in John Ryder, I'm facing a very competitive fighter.”
When Canelo started boxing in Mexico, his fights were in locations like Arena Coliseo, Arena Jalisco, Xcaret Park, and Auditorio Siglo XXI. His last bout in Mexico was inside Plaza de Toros in Mexico City in 2011, when he defeated Kermit Cintron via TKO. The facility can hold up to 41,000+ people.
Here is all you need to know about where Canelo’s upcoming fight is, from attendance to its history.
Where is Canelo Alvarez vs. John Ryder?
Canelo vs. Ryder takes place inside Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. The arena can hold approximately 46,000 people.
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“This is a moment that will be forever engrained in the history of boxing and Mexican sport,” said Eddie Hearn. “Canelo Alvarez defending his undisputed championship in his hometown in front of 50,000 fans will be an incredible sight and a night we will never forget.
What is Akron Stadium
Home to the soccer club C.D. Guadalajara, Akron Stadium (known as Estadio Akron), opened in 2010 after breaking ground in 2004.
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The Stadium has hosted several events, including matches from the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2011 Pan American Games. In 2026, the arena will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be briefly renamed Guadalajara Stadium.