Boxing

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.
Canelo Alvarez floored John RyderCredit: EPA
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.”
John Ryder was beaten on pointsCredit: Getty More

CANELO ALVAREZ has hinted he will once again move up in weight to rematch Dmitry Bivol. The Mexican superstar lost in a WBA light-heavyweight title challenge to Bivol in May 2022.
Canelo Alvarez after beating John RyderCredit: Reuters
Dmitry Bivol has been called out to a rematch by Canelo AlvarezCredit: AP
And he has since bounced back with two wins down at super-middleweight, defending his undisputed crown.
Following a points victory over Britain’s John Ryder in a Guadalajara homecoming, Canelo called out Bivol.
And he appeared to pour cold water on the idea of the Russian dropping to fight for his 168lb titles.
Canelo said: “Same rules, same terms, same everything.
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“Everybody knows we want the rematch with Bivol, (but) if the fight with Bivol doesn’t happen then we’ll see. I’m able to fight everybody.”
Bivol beat Gilberto Ramirez, 31, in November which followed from his upset over Canelo.
Whereas Canelo turned his attention to rival Gennady Golovkin, 41, and Ryder, 34, after the loss.
He broke Ryder’s nose and dropped the Londoner in round five and will now look towards Bivol.
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Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Unbelievable atmosphere in Guadalajara, great performance from Canelo, tough, tough, tough man, John Ryder.
“Hurt badly, broken nose in the second round but battled hard every  round but tonight belongs to Saul Canelo Alvarez.
“Dmitry Bivol, that’s what he wants next, let’s make it happen.”
Canelo Alvarez was beaten by Dmitry Bivol in May 2022Credit: Reuters More

CANELO ALVAREZ retained his crown at the throne of the super-middleweight division in a Mexican homecoming. The boxing superstar returned to Guadalajara for the first time in 12 years to beat Britain’s John Ryder on points.
Canelo Alvarez after beating John RyderCredit: Reuters
It saw Canelo keep hold of the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts at 168lb.
But his options spread far further with rivals from middleweight to light-heavyweight.
Here, SunSport runs down what could be next for the sport’s top attraction.
Dmitry Bivol
Bivol, 32, beat Canelo, also 32, in May 2022 in a defence of his WBA light-heavyweight title.
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And revenge is still on Canelo’s mind as he called to rematch the Russian back at 175lb.
He said: “Same rules, same terms, same everything. Everybody knows we want the rematch with Bivol, (but) if the fight with Bivol doesn’t happen then we’ll see.”
Canelo Alvarez wants to rematch Dmitry Bivol nextCredit: Reuters
David Benavidez
Benavidez – touted as the “Mexican monster” by Mike Tyson – has emerged as a top talent at super-middle.
And many have backed the American to give Canelo his toughest test at 168lb.
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If the rematch with Bivol does not materialise, Benavidez, 26, would be the top of fans’ wishlist while he sits mandatory for Canelo’s WBC title.
David Benavidez is mandatory challenger for Canelo Alvarez’s WBC titleCredit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME
Jermall Charlo
Charlo, 32, inherited the WBC middleweight title vacated by Canelo, but the Texan wants a shot at the man himself.
He has talked up a move up in weight to fight Canelo, putting his 32-0 record on the line.
Charlo has boxed on pay-per-view before and remains a blockbuster alternative for Canelo.
Jermall Charlo has called to fight Canelo Alvarez beforeCredit: Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions
Demetrius Andrade
Andrade, 35, has moved up in weight in pursuit of Canelo.
The pair even traded words in 2021 in a furious press conference exchange, fuelling demand for a bout.
But Andrade has suffered misfortune in his career by failing to finalise fights with top stars.
Demetrius Andrade has moved up to super-middleweightCredit: Rex
Jaime Munguia
Munguia, 26, has long been touted as a future foe for Canelo, in what would be an all-Mexican standoff.
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In 2017, Canelo beat bitter rival Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a domestic dust-up but has not faced a Mexican since.
It leaves Munguia primed to move up in weight for the occasion after he returns on June 10 against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, 37.
Jaime Munguia is a potential Mexican foe for Canelo AlvarezCredit: Getty More

BOXING fans were quick to notice a specific detail with the ring ahead of Saturday’s super-middleweight bout between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and John Ryder.Canelo successfully defended his undisputed super-middleweight crown on home soil following a stunning display at the Akron Stadium.
Canelo took on Ryder in Mexico on SaturdayCredit: Getty
The Mexican dropped his opponent in round fiveCredit: Reuters
He won the bout by unanimous decision with scores of 120-107, 118-109 and 118-109.
But some boxing fans claimed that he was at an advantage before the fight had even begun.
Prior to the first bell, eagle-eyed viewers noticed that the size of the ring was unusually small.
One person tweeted: “This ring size for the Canelo fight is the SMALLEST ring I’ve ever seen! It looks like children should be fighting in it!”
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Another added: “Agreeing To This Ring Size With Canelo Is Suicide.”
A third claimed: “Gonna be short night for Canelo with that ring size.”
While a fourth wrote: “Canelo Alvarez should benefit from small ring. John Ryder won’t have anywhere to hide inside Guadalajara’s 18-foot ring.
“Alvarez is always comfortable fighting in close proximity to his opponents, and the smaller ring size means Ryder will have less room for error.”
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Canelo won by unanimous decisionCredit: Reuters
The standard size of a professional boxing ring can range from 16 square feet to 24 square feet.
Canelo is known to prefer a smaller-sized ring.
In May 2021, the Mexican got into a dispute with British boxer Billy Joe Saunders over the proposed 18ft ring that was set to be used in their super-middleweight bout.
Saunders, who likened the 18ft ring to a “phone box”, threatened to walk away from the fight altogether unless a bigger one was confirmed for the fight.
The issue was eventually resolved when the pair agreed on a 22ft ring.
The 18ft ring certainly suited Canelo on Saturday.
The 32-year-old dominated the fight and dropped Ryder in round five, but the Brit fought back to go the distance despite sustaining a broken nose. More

JOHN RYDER confirmed he suffered a broken nose against Canelo Alvarez but bravely boxed on to hear the final bell. The Londoner travelled to Guadalajara to be in the opposite corner of Canelo’s Mexican homecoming.
John Ryder confirmed he suffered a broken nose against Canelo AlvarezCredit: Twitter / @DAZNBoxing
John Ryder was beaten on points in MexicoCredit: Getty
But he was unable to upset the applecart in his challenge for the undisputed WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.
Ryder suffered a busted nose in the opening stages of the fight and was floored in round five with a right hand but survived to tell the tale.
He told Matchroom Boxing: “After all these years of boxing, it’s the first time I broke my nose.
“It was a new experience. Got back to my corner, towel in my face, just couldn’t breathe. There was blood going back down my throat.
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“It was a new experience but obviously I’ve got a good calming corner, calmed me down.
“And then after that, it was just hard to sit down and get my breathing. So I was standing up throughout the rounds.
“Like I said, new experience, I felt I won the first two rounds quite well. I was boxing sensibly.
“Then I just got careless in the last second, leaned forward, and took that big uppercut.”
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Fans hailed Ryder for his gallant effort in Canelo’s backyard.
One said: “What a tough man. He deserves every penny.”
Another added: “Heart! Could have gave up or stayed down after the knockdowns. Not in his blood! Earned a fan in me.”
Ryder, 34, became the EIGHTH Brit to lose to Canelo, 32, and gave his respect to the pound-for-pound star following defeat.
He said: “Listen, I always thought he was very good. He’s good, he sets traps, he’s there.
“Even when you think you’re having success – which I was in the first couple of rounds – you could see that he was downloading information to stick it on in the later rounds and set the traps.”
John Ryder was floored in round fiveCredit: Reuters More