On May 7th, 2022, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez defended his undisputed super-middleweight title against John Ryder, the home favourite, in what was one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. The fight took place at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, England, and drew a crowd of over 80,000 spectators, with millions more tuning in to watch the bout from around the world.
For Alvarez, this was yet another opportunity to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest boxers of all time. Since turning professional in 2005, the Mexican fighter has won world titles in four weight classes and has a record of 58 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws. His most recent victory, a unanimous decision win over Caleb Plant in November 2021, made him the first undisputed super-middleweight champion in boxing history.
Canelo was the underdog heading into this fight
On the other hand,. Despite being the hometown favourite, the British fighter had only recently returned to the super-middleweight division after a stint at light heavyweight. He had also suffered losses in his two previous world title fights, against Callum Smith and Billy Joe Saunders.
The fight itself was a thrilling back-and-forth affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Alvarez started strong, using his trademark body shots to wear down Ryder in the early rounds. However, Ryder refused to be intimidated and fought back valiantly, landing several powerful combinations that had Alvarez on the ropes.
As the fight progressed, Alvarez began to take control, using his superior footwork and counterpunching to frustrate Ryder and prevent him from landing any significant shots. By the later rounds, it was clear that Alvarez was ahead on the scorecards, but Ryder continued to fight with heart and determination, refusing to give up until the final bell.
In the end, the judges scored the fight unanimously in favour of Alvarez, with scores of 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112. The Mexican fighter retained his undisputed super-middleweight title and cemented his place as one of the greatest boxers of his generation.
For Ryder, the loss was a disappointment, but he could hold his head high knowing that he had given it his all against one of the canelo best fighters in the world. In the post-fight press conference, he praised Alvarez for his performance and thanked the fans for their support.
As for Alvarez, he was already looking ahead to his next challenge. In the same press conference, he hinted that his next fight could be against IBF middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, a longtime rival whom he has faced twice before, winning one and drawing the other.
Overall, the Canelo vs Ryder fight was a showcase of two talented fighters giving it their all in the ring.Canelo was a reminder of why boxing remains one of the most exciting and visceral sports in the world, and why fighters like Alvarez continue to capture the imaginations of fans around the globe.
