John Ryder: Golovkin In Kazakhstan In December Would Be The Dream

John Ryder was told that if Gennady Golovkin chose to box again, he would be on the front lines in the fight.

Ryder turns 35 on Wednesday, and his birthday celebrations include a gym workout with Tony Sims and dinner at home with his young family.

Gorilla life may have calmed down over the years, but as he packed the last few boxes before moving into a home that was partially funded by Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, Ryder confirmed. He decided he wasn’t ready for it. Pipes and sandals yet.

After the Cinco de Mayo outing in Guadalajara, Ryder took a short break from training but returned to the gym last month and is still hopeful that a match against Golovkin can materialize before the end of the year.

“My birthday isn’t really that big,” he told BoxingScene.com. “I went and did a little bit with Tony and the boys and got some sticks – people there thought I was 45. It’s great to be there.

“The break was great but it’s great to be back to see the players and keep playing. I’m moving at the end of the month so I’d better put August aside, camp in September and then go on a date in November or December. Golovkin in Kazakhstan in December will be a dream come true.

But how realistic is that ambition for London, who lost 32-6 after a crippling loss to Canelo?

“I heard he’s still not sure if he’ll play again,” he added. “It all depends on him. But this is one of those places where if he decides to move on, it will be me.

“He just decides what, but I think he wants to go back to Kazakhstan. I didn’t want to wait too long to see what happened, but he made up his mind. It would be nice to hear about it in the middle of August.

“Matchroom CEO] Frank Smith spoke to Tony Sims and said that if Golovkin is fighting again, it would be John. It seemed positive. He must have wanted to end his career with a loss. I could beat Golovkin in Kazakhstan and then come back to the UK for Caleb Plant or someone like that next year.

With only a game or two likely to be left in his career, Ryder is now only in the realm of high-paying matches in his career against Canelo.

“The money from this fight may have helped paint the front door of the new house,” he added.

“It works, that’s for sure. “I always dreamed of leaving boxing with a house that was bought and paid for – so you did your job. There are thousands of boxers. I am one of the lucky few to finish boxing with something behind.

The man who has spoken of his desire to host an all-British showdown with Ryder is London middleweight Liron Richards. But for Ryder, fighting wasn’t enough sign. “This is boring carrots,” he said.

“It’s not a fight I’m really interested in. He dumped Eddie and left Dave Caldwell – what’s going on?

“Obviously the fight against Zack Shelley hasn’t happened, so I don’t know what he’s doing yet. He’s a good fighter but for me I want the biggest and best fights – I want to make some serious money and fighting Lerrone Richards isn’t it.

“I’ll have a meeting with Eddie in the next few weeks and we can sit back and see what happens. I don’t have a contract with them, I’m a free agent but obviously they’ve been good to me so far so it’s just game by game.

“I’m really in a good position because I can go where the show is — I can flirt with Uncle Hemon and see what else he can do for me. Matchroom are up for me to box wherever the best money is and if it’s not with them I can go elsewhere. It’s good for me.