JOHN RYDER admitted to panicking after tasting BLOOD down his throat during his brutal defeat to Canelo Alvarez.
The brave British challenger was beaten on points by Canelo, who returned for a Mexican homecoming 12 years in the making.
Ryder, 34, was floored in round five and suffered a broken nose early in the fight, leaving him barely able to BREATHE.
He told DAZN: “I thought I was having it all my way, last one to go round [landed] right on the nose and it really took me out of my stride for the last few rounds.
“I saw the final bell, stopped feeling sorry for myself after round eight and dug deep but listen, he’s a really great fighter and it’s not the result I hoped for.
“Last shot of the second round, I stepped back and went forward a bit, threw the uppercut and we worked on that 100 times.
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“I thought the bell was about to go and took the slip out and he landed it. Twenty odd years in boxing and I’ve never broken my nose like that.
“It was panic stations because there was blood going down my throat, but I’ve got a great corner that kept me calm.
“When I got knocked down, it’s all about experience and that’s why I’ve got a great team around me to tell me to do these things.
“I had a clear enough head to take their instructions. I came back firing and did that.”
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Canelo, 32, retained his undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts with victory over Ryder, 32, who was his EIGHTH English opponent.
And the four-division champion rated Ryder as the best Brit he shared the ring with.
He admitted: “I think so, yeah.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
