Despite a spirited performance by Ryder at Estadio Akron, the Mexican champion retained his undisputed super-middleweight title on points. The fight was dominated by Alvarez, 32, who dropped Ryder in round five, but the Londoner fought back well. Two judges scored the fight 118-109 for Alvarez and 120-107 for the other.
The four-weight world champion won his 59th fight after two losses and two draws since turning professional.
“I’m pleased with the fight. “I won, and I’m glad people had a good fight,” Alvarez said to DAZN. “He’s a tough fighter.” “I knew that; I’m not surprised.” “I’ve dared to do, and I’ve fallen short,” Ryder said. The main thing is that I’m gutted.”
“John demonstrated he was a world-class fighter, but Canelo is one of the best,” promoter Eddie Hearn said on BBC Radio 5 Live. Tonight, John deserves a lot of respect.” Ryder’s sixth defeat in 38 fights has now failed twice at the world title level, having been defeated by Briton Callum Smith for the WBA ‘Super’ title in 2019.
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Alvarez Defeats Brave Ryder
Alvarez extended his reign as the super-middleweight division’s ruler in a fight billed as the “King is Coming Home.” After missing eight months due to surgery on his left hand, Alvarez returned to the ring and landed two thudding left hooks to Ryder’s body in the opening round.
Ryder’s task became even more difficult when Alvarez busted the challenger’s nose two rounds later, leaving him with a bloodied face that would hinder him for the rest of the fight. He is a confident boxer who vowed to take the fight to Alvarez, but he found himself on the back foot early on, with Alvarez dictating the pace and stalking Ryder around the ring.
Michael Benson Tweeted about the Canelo knocking down Ryder in the fifth round. You can see the Tweet below
Canelo Alvarez knocks John Ryder DOWN in round five.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 7, 2023
When Alvarez floored Ryder with a sensational left-right combination in round five, the crowd erupted. Ryder stumbled backward before collapsing onto the canvas. He stood up at the count of eight, but he did well to make it through the round with his legs still wobbly. Ryder earned a lucrative, life-changing shot at Alvarez by becoming WBO mandatory and winning the interim title.
But he was fighting on instinct at times. Alvarez would not flinch at anything Ryder threw at him. Before a thrilling round nine, Ryder was dropped in the eighth, but it was ruled a slip. Another Alvarez combination had the referee on the verge of intervening, but a brave Ryder stood up and traded with Alvarez, displaying incredible heart and bravery.
“John came into the fight when it looked over,” Hearn explained. “He remained in the fight.” The more John threw, the more successful he became. What a courageous performance.” Ryder, needing a break, began to land with greater ease in the championship rounds. The outcome was unavoidable, but Ryder’s recovery from those early and middle rounds, trading and landing on Alvarez, earned him the crowd’s respect.
Emotional, Electrifying, And Epic
It was a memorable event in Mexican boxing history that could compete with any boxing atmosphere in the world. Police helicopters circled the stadium, which was illuminated by smartphone torches. There was a Mexican wave, which was quite appropriate. Ryder has taken a back seat throughout the ‘Alvarez show’ during fight week. He insisted that the occasion would not overpower him, but nothing could have prepared him for the hostile reception and jeers he received during his ring walk.
DAZN Boxing shared a clip on Twitter about Alvarez winning the fight over John.
https://twitter.com/DAZNBoxing/status/1655064720775446528
Then came Alvarez’s emotional, electric, and epic entrance. A video montage of his life played on the big screen, fireworks shot into the night sky of Guadalajara, and a mariachi band of about 50 members led the champion into the ring. Ryder kept shadowboxing and waiting patiently the entire time.
Alvarez, who is fighting in his home country for the first time since 2011, is arguably the biggest pay-per-view star in boxing, but in Mexico, he is a true icon with unrivaled fame.
What Is Alvarez’s Next Step?
After losing Dmitry Bivol at light-heavyweight and a below-par performance in a win over Gennady Golovkin in 2022, there were doubts about Alvarez’s best days. A lot was riding on Alvarez’s performance against Ryder. He didn’t get the knockout, but he won convincingly against a tough opponent on a night with high stakes.
Boxing fans are clamoring for a rematch with former world champion David Benavidez. In 27 fights, the undefeated American has 23 knockout victories. Alvarez stated his desire to avenge his loss to Bivol and become a two-time light-heavyweight champion. “Same rules, same terms, same everything,” Alvarez said, dismissing the notion of Bivol becoming lighter.
There aren’t many fights where Alvarez would be the underdog, but Bivol was a convincing winner in the first round.
Ryder’s Retirement?
Ryder was on the verge of becoming a legend when Alvarez defeated him. Ryder, a fighter who has shown incredible grit and determination throughout his career, had the opportunity to shock the world by becoming the first male English boxer to become an undisputed champion in the four-belt era.
Victory over Alvarez would have been the most significant victory by a British boxer outside of the UK, but it would always be a tall order. On the other hand, how Ryder was defeated has earned him a lot of praise. He and Hearn hinted at more big fights, domestically and in the United States, during the post-fight press conference. Regardless of who Ryder faces next, he will leave Guadalajara knowing he was part of a memorable and historic night.
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