Canelo vs Ryder LIVE result: Latest boxing fight updates
Canelo retained his undisputed super-middleweight championship via unanimous decision
Canelo Alvarez was forced to settle for a points victory against a gutsy and bloodied John Ryder at a raucous Mexican homecoming.
Canelo, handed victory by the judges 120-107, 118-109 and 118-109 on the scorecards, retained his undisputed super-middleweight world championship in front of approximately 50,000 fans at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara.
But it was the Briton, covered in blood throughout the contest after suffering a suspected broken nose, who salvaged a morale victory after recovering from a heavy knockdown in the fifth round.
Ryder, who earned his shot at the champion with victories over Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker last year, could not grasp his second chance at a world title after a hard-fought defeat to Callum Smith in 2019, but emerges with great credit after 12 gruelling rounds.
While Canelo, despite building more momentum after victory last time out against Gennady Golovkin following defeat to light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol, continues to show signs that his best is behind him.
Bivol is likely to relish a probable rematch later this year with the Mexican’s output fading in the closing stages of tonight’s fight.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez on top against Batista on undercard
Martinez in the groove now and Batista is fading.
Could we see late drama?
Canelo, meanwhile, has worked up a sweat backstage, the main event against John Ryder is NEXT!
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez earns knockdown against Batista after WBC president’s intervention
That’s a controversial one, will it be decisive?
Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed replays will be used to decide if it’s a knockdown.
Initially it was called a slip, but the WBC president appears to have intervened and now the referee informs all three judges that it was, indeed, a knockdown in favour of Martinez.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez rocks Batista!
Batista is down!!
They call it a slip, but Batista looked hurt.
The pressure is on now, Martinez whipping in shots to the body and immediately looks the menacing fighter we have grown to know and love.
Batista has gathered himself though, drama in the seventh!
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez struggling against Batista in undercard fight
The upset is very much on here!
Batista is timing Martinez well here as we reach the half-way point of this fight.
More whistles from the crowd, who are piling on the pressure for the home fighter to change things up and throw more.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez rocks Batista in undercard fight
A nasty left hook from Martinez rocks Batista in the fourth.
The Panamanian staggers back into the ropes, but this one has been competitive so far.
Batista lands with an uppercut! Some whistles from the crowd now.
Both men trade bombs to finish the round, but Batista landed again after the bell, he’ll have a point taken off.
Canelo vs Ryder
An intimate moment for Canelo who shares a chat with his grandma, who is poised to watch him fight for the first time.
Perhaps we should not underestimate the mental test for Canelo tonight and something Ryder can capitalise on.
The stage is unlike anything Canelo has seen before with expectations and attention skyrocketing.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez battles Batista as chief support on undercard
There’s some animosity through the first couple rounds here.
Both men throwing after the bell! Remember Martinez’s lack of discipline in the first part of his career defined him.
He’s tidied that up, but he needs to stay calm here.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez battles Batista as chief support on undercard
Remember, Martinez’s trainer is Eddy Reynoso, who also trains Canelo.
So despite being the chief support, it’ll be a bit of a wait between this and the main event you would think as Reynoso heads back to transition and switch focus back to his biggest star.
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez battles Batista as chief support on undercard
Ok here we go, it's the chief support to Canelo vs Ryder. It'll be 12 rounds of boxing: Julio Cesar Martinez makes his way to the ring.
And Batista, the Panamanian, is in the ring waiting.
Can Martinez show more promise after rebounding from his loss to Roman Gonzalez?
Regis Prograis calls out Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis after signing with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom
Regis Prograis: “I can’t wait [to fight Liam Paro on 17 June]!I just felt like it’s home. We had things going back and forth, I still feel, gut feeling, this is where I belong. A lot of people wanted me. It’s the best move for my career.
“I want to get a lot of big fights, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis, then I want to clean up the division. Me and Gervonta had some words, Ryan said he wants to fight me. Josh Taylor, I want the rematch. I want big fights and then to become undisputed.”
Eddie Hearn: “Now he’s a world champion, 140 pounds, it’s the glamour division. We got him, the No 1 star in the division. It’s a big party against Paro, but this man is the man to beat. A massive signing for us, we’ll make him a huge star.”
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