Ryder Eyes Jacobs Contender Bout: ‘I Want To Test Myself Against The Best’

Finding the right opportunity to strike has always been a theme in boxing. That is something John Ryder is planning on doing in order to return as a title contender.

Speaking on “The Lockdown Tapes” podcast, Ryder (28-5) expressed his desire to face Callum Smith once again. Ryder faced the WBA and The Ring Super-Middleweight Champion back in November. He lost via unanimous decision, a result he did not agree with.

“It took me a couple of weeks to watch it back and when I did I still had it to myself by a few rounds even being ultra favourable to Callum Smith in the close rounds,” Ryder stated. “I still feel that at worst it was a draw.

“I don’t want to harp on about it and my problem isn’t with Callum or any of his brothers, they’re all lovely people, it’s the judges and the scorecards. It half makes a mockery of the sport. Sometimes you get a dodgy scorecard but I feel that three was a bit wrong.

Before the Smith loss, Ryder was on a four-fight win streak. A former WBO Inter-Continental and WBA/IBF International Middleweight Champion, Ryder fought for titles against the likes of Rocky Fielding, Billy Joe Saunders and Jamie Cox. His path back up the top of the list of contenders might be rocky due to mandatory challengers. Ryder, however, believes he has found a fight that can help his cause.

“The fight that I really want is the rematch with Callum but I know that Chudinov is now in the mandatory position,” Ryder went on to say. “In order to get myself back there then why not someone like Danny Jacobs in New York. He’s a great fighter and I want to test myself against the best.”

Jacobs (36-3) is a former IBF and WBA Middleweight Champion. His last fight was a one-sided affair against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. that he won following a corner stoppage. He is 4-2 in his last six fights, losing big contests to Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin.

Not only is Ryder looking for gold, but so is Jacobs. Their paths intertwining could result in a chance for one of them to get what they want. If Ryder does get that winning moment, he will look to right what he believes was a major wrong.