Canelo Alvarez retained his undisputed super middleweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over England’s John Ryder. Alvarez battered and bloodied Ryder, flooring him in Round 5, but couldn’t put the challenger away. The fight was Alvarez’s first since he underwent surgery on his left wrist in October. Alvarez said his surgically repaired hand feels “very good” and that he’s now “ready for everything.” He plans to fight again on September 16, Mexican Independence Day weekend.
Alvarez said his goal remained a rematch with Russia’s Dmitry Bivol, who routed him via decision when they met last May at 175 pounds. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Alvarez and Bivol, said he’ll start negotiations for the rematch next week. Ryder entered the ring rated No. 4 by ESPN at super middleweight.
Ryder was no match against Alvarez, who landed 189 punches, more than double Ryder’s output. But Ryder displayed tremendous heart round after round, and even connected on a few good counter shots of his own.
Alvarez remains the face of boxing and the king returned home, nearly 12 years after he left as a world-class boxer.
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