John Ryder realized his number could have been called much sooner had the decision landed in his favor in his previous title bid.

There are many who will argue to this day that the Islington southpaw was wronged in a November 2019 title bid versus then-unbeaten WBA super middleweight beltholder Callum Smith. A trip the defending titlist’s Liverpool saw Ryder (32-5, 19KOs) forced to settle for a questionable unanimous decision verdict against him.

Smith went on to face Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, against whom he suffered a torn biceps and a lopsided points defeat in their December 2020 battle in San Antonio, Texas.

Ryder returned to the win column one night prior, outpointing Mike Guy over ten rounds in Hollywood, Florida. The lower profile affair was the start of a current four-fight win streak that has led ‘The Gorilla’ to the biggest opportunity of his 13-year-career as he faces Alvarez (58-2-2, 39KOs) this Saturday at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico.

“I think for myself, the best time is now,” Ryder told BoxingScene.com and select other outlets during a WOW HYDRATE™-hosted media roundtable. “It could have happened after the Callum Smith fight maybe sometime in 2020. I look at it as a blessing that it didn’t.

“I’ve worked hard, applied the tunnel vision that I have now. I’m about to take him on and it’s a chance I relish.”

Ryder challenges Guadalajara’s Alvarez, who defends his undisputed super middleweight championship atop a DAZN Pay-Per-View event just outside his hometown.

The title challenge for Ryder comes on the heels of perhaps his best year as a pro. The 34-year-old southpaw from Islington, London claimed wins over former middleweight titlist Daniel Jacobs and unbeaten Zach Parker, both in fights where bizarre incidents that would normally go against Ryder ultimately landed in his favor.

Ryder rallied hard in the second half of his twelve-round bout versus Brooklyn’s Jacobs (37-4, 30KOs) to claim a well-earned twelve-round, split decision last February 12. More than nine months later, Ryder fell behind early versus Parker before he came on strong in round four. Parker came off his stool at the start of round five only to confirm that a hand injury rendered him done for the evening last November 26 at The O2 in London.

The pair of victories ran Ryder’s current streak to four in a row, the first time he’s won that many bouts in succession since the stretch that led to his title challenge versus Smith. Alvarez enters his first fight on home soil in more than a decade as an overwhelming -1600 favorite according to bet365 sportsbook, which views Ryder as a +900 underdog.

Still, he loves his chances at an upset—even more so now than had he been given the nod versus Smith more than three years ago.

“If I say I’m supremely confident, people will say I’m delusional,” admitted Ryder. “But I wouldn’t be going out there and taking the team with me that I am if I didn’t believe.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox