John Ryder has been told that if Gennady Golovkin opts to box again then he will be first in line for the fight.
Ryder turned 35 on Wednesday and his birthday celebrations consisted of a session in the gym with Tony Sims and some dinner at home with his young family.
The Gorilla’s life might have quietened down over the years but, as he packs up the last few boxes before moving into the house partly acquired from his Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez payday, Ryder insists he is not ready for his pipe and slippers yet.
Following that Cinco de Mayo outing in Guadalajara, Ryder had a short break from training but he returned to the gym last month and is still hoping that a fight with Golovkin can materialise before the end of the year.
“My birthday wasn’t really a big one,” he tells BoxingScene.com. “I went and did a bit with Tony and the boys and took some stick – everyone in there thinks I’m 45. It was nice to get in there.
“The break was good but it was nice to get back in and see the boys and get going again. I’m moving house at the end of the month so ideally I want to get August out of the way, get into camp September time and then get a November or December date. Golovkin in Kazakhstan in December would be the dream.”
But just how realistic is that ambition for the Londoner, who moved to 32-6 as a result of the unanimous decision defeat to Canelo.
“I’ve heard that he’s still not sure about boxing again at all,” he adds. “It’s all down to him. But it’s one of those where if he does decide to carry on then it will be me.
“He just needs to decide what’s what but I think he wants the homecoming in Kazakhstan. I don’t want to wait too long to see what’s what but he is deciding. It would be good to hear by the middle of August.
“[Matchroom CEO] Frank Smith spoke to Tony Sims and said that if Golovkin is going to fight again then it will be John. That sounds positive. He must want to end his career on a defeat. I can beat Golovkin in Kazakhstan then come back to the UK for Caleb Plant or someone like that next year.”
With maybe just one or two fights left in his career, Ryder is now only in the business of big money fights following his career-high purse against Canelo.
“The money from that fight might have helped to paint the front door on the new house,” he adds. “It has played a part, that’s for sure.
“It’s always the dream to leave boxing with a house bought and paid for – then you’ve kind of done your job. There are thousands of boxers who don’t. I’m one of the lucky few to finish boxing with something behind me.”
One man who has spoken of his desire to set up an all-British clash with Ryder is fellow London super-middleweight Lerrone Richards. But, for Ryder, the fight does not tick enough boxes.
“That geezer is so boring,” he says. “It’s not a fight that really interests me. He’s left Eddie, he’s left Dave Coldwell – what’s going on there?
“Obviously the Zak Chelli fight didn’t happen so I don’t know what he’s doing now. 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 won’t do that.
“I’ll have a meeting with Eddie in the next couple of weeks and we can sit down and see what’s what. I’m not under contract with them, I’m a free agent but obviously they’ve done good by me so far so it’s just a case of taking it fight by fight.
“I’m sitting in a good position really because I can go where the offer is – I can flirt with Uncle Al Haymon and see what he might have to offer me too. 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.
“In an ideal world, it’s a ‘yes’ from Triple-G and then we are all in for that.”