It has become a painful cliche, the Rocky reference in a boxing narrative. In the case of John Ryder, it would also be a painful disservice, much as he acknowledges the underdog tag hanging around his neck this week. Yet it is Ryder himself who makes the reference, and the specific parallels that he draws are admittedly apt.
“Rocky IV would be my favourite,” the Londoner tells The Independent. “Ivan Drago, Russia, Christmas Day.” On Saturday, it will be Canelo, Mexico, Cinco de Mayo. “I suppose this is my Rocky moment, going to Mexico to get those titles.”
