John Ryder confident he will be a problem for Callum Smith!
On November 23, John “The Gorilla” Ryder (28-4, 16 KO’s) will challenge Callum “Mundo” Smith (26-0, 19 KO’s) for his WBC diamond and WBA super world super middleweight titles.
Although clearly the B-side and counted out by many, Ryder is anxious to get to the ring and fight for the belts. Putting the talk of the naysayers to the side, he is fully ready to upset the big future plans of the champion!
FOCUSED
Provided that Mundo can overcome Ryder, there is a very big opportunity waiting on him. It’s been sufficiently documented that if victorious, Smith has a standing date at the massive Anfield Stadium in 2020.
Even while preparing for Ryder, Team Smith has continued to mull over possible adversaries to fight in the historic venue.
As for the Gorilla, he couldn’t care less about all the talk revolving around the looming Anfield date. In his estimation, it’s not going to happen anyway because he has every intention on winning on November 23.
Going a step further though, despite the media hype, Ryder doesn’t believe that Smith would be silly enough to simply overlook him as stated in an interview with IFL TV.
“No I think he’s too professional for that. I will say that it’s hard not to take your eye off the ball with things like that.
“Obviously Canelo got up to light heavyweight and beat Kovalev. The natural fight for him next is to fight the winner of this for the Ring magazine WBA super.”
STICK TO THE SCRIPT
Personally, Ryder is in a great headspace going into his dust-up with Smith. Although he has dropped four losses in his professional career, he’s riding a four fight win streak with each win coming by way of knockout.
This recent batch of impressive wins has helped him substantiate his belief that he has the goods to topple Smith.
For Ryder, all he has to do is be himself. The rugged UK native earnestly believes that if he competes utilizing his natural fighting style he has more than enough to get passed the champion.
“Listen, it’s a two horse race. We’re both in there.We’re both more than capable of hurting each other. This is boxing that’s what referees are there for.
“Just do what I do: get close, box, mix it up, I believe that I beat him. I’ve hurt everyone at super middleweight that I’ve been in with and I believe he’ll be no different.”
THE POT OF GOLD
In the event that Ryder does overcome Smith then, much like Andy Ruiz Jr recently, his whole reality will change for the better. First, the Anfield bout for Smith immediately goes up in flames along with his belts.
If the Gorilla pulls that off, then all the big fights that Smith is pondering over all become potential big money paydays for himself.
This is all powerful motivation for Ryder. He is only one fight away from residing the big stage of the super middleweight division.
“There’s big fights either way. The winner can get Billy Joe, there’s a Caleb Plant fight, or the Benavidez fight.
“There’s massive fights out there but I’m fully focused on Saturday night, Callum Smith and winning them titles.”
By: Bakari Simpson
