Mexican boxer Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is no stranger to big fights and big paydays. However, for his next fight against interim super middleweight champion John Ryder, Canelo has chosen to make a sacrifice that goes beyond just money: he will be fighting in his home country of Mexico, even though it means taking a pay cut.

According to Canelo's promoter, Eddie Hearn, the fighter's desire is to appear in Mexico, even though his purse is "much less". Hearn acknowledged that fighting in Mexico, specifically at the Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, will mean a smaller capacity and lower ticket prices. In Las Vegas, where Canelo often fights, tickets can range from $300 to $5,000, but in Mexico, with the exchange rates where they are, one would expect ticket prices will likely have to be lower.

Despite these financial challenges, Canelo is committed to fighting in Mexico and in front of his home crowd, which could be more than double the attendance of his third fight against Gennady Golovkin at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo's choice to fight in Mexico is a testament to his love for his home country and his commitment to connecting with his fans in a personal way.

While it's not uncommon for fighters to prioritize certain goals over money, such as fighting in their home country or facing a specific opponent, fighting in Mexico comes with its own set of challenges and sacrifices. Dealing with unfamiliar surroundings, language barriers, and potentially less professional infrastructure in terms of promotion, medical care, and other resources can all be challenging. However, it seems that Canelo is willing to accept these challenges in order to show his love for his country and his fans.

Another potential challenge for Canelo's upcoming fight is the lack of a big pay-per-view appeal in the United States. This could impact the potential revenue for the fight, especially since Canelo's fights a year ago against Dmitry Bivol and Gennady Golovkin earned him $85 million dollars from Matchroom. However, it's possible that Canelo and his team are exploring alternative revenue streams, such as sponsorships, in order to make up for the potential revenue loss from the lower ticket prices and pay-per-view appeal.

In the end, Canelo's sacrifice to fight in Mexico is a reminder that there are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a fight location and opponent. For Canelo, the opportunity to fight in front of his home crowd and show his love for his country is worth more than just money. As a result, he's earning the admiration and respect of his fans and supporters around the world.