By: Sean Crose
At 35 years of age, and with a report of 32-6, former Canelo Alvarez opponent John Ryder aimed for a ultimate probability at greatness Saturday night time when he stepped into the ring at Phoenix’ Footprint Center to face Jaime Munguia in a scheduled 12 spherical tremendous middleweight affair. The grizzled Ryder, nevertheless, was not the favourite strolling in on Saturday. Indeed, it had been indicated that the gutsy Englishman was merely introduced in to be a showcase opponent for the 27 12 months outdated, 42-0 Munguia. Unlike Ryder, Munguia had as soon as held a world title whereas by no means having tasted defeat.
There have been questions relating to Munguia’s profession decisions, nevertheless, one being why at this level in his profession he was nonetheless going through the likes a Ryder, who was seen as a talented, serviceable particular person who had nonetheless by no means hung out within the highlight. Furthermore, Munguia had come inside a figurative hair’s breadth from dropping his final struggle, a 2023 warfare with Sergiy Derevyanchenko. In different phrases, the previous WBO junior middleweight champion had one thing to show on Saturday, particularly that he was prepared to maneuver on to A-list opposition. He might properly have ended up convincing some those that he was.
The first spherical was intense, with every man positioning himself to strike successfully whereas the ten thousand folks within the viewers made positive the environment was electrical. Both fighters have been in a position to land, although Munguia might have been extra energetic. A thunderous Munguia mixture within the second did one thing Canelo couldn’t – put Ryder on the mat. Ryder beat the depend and went on to struggle gamely. Perhaps surprisingly, Ryder went on to have a robust third for himself. He was clearly not as quick as Munguia, however he was in a position to work the physique properly.
Munguia scored a flash knockdown on the finish of the fourth. Again, Ryder beat the depend, however Munguia’s energy was the separating issue at that time within the struggle. What’s extra, Ryder was being a bit too affected person as he waited for the chance to counterpunch. The fifth spherical of what was undoubtedly an entertaining affair noticed every man land properly. Munguia, nevertheless, was proving that he was in a position to take in Ryder’s punishment heading into the midpoint of the struggle. Still, Ryder might have gained the sixth by means of clear, strong punching.
Munguia appeared as if he is likely to be beginning to gasoline out within the seventh. Ryder was in a position to proceed to land clear whereas Munguia remained much less energetic than he had been all through the struggle up till then. With that being stated, it appeared like Ryder was about to be stopped within the first half of the eighth. Impressively, nevertheless, Ryder survived the onslaught and carried out fairly properly within the spherical’s second half. An absolute freight prepare of a pressure proper put Ryder down for the third time early within the ninth. Ryder once more received up, however Munguia put him proper again down. Yet, to his everlasting credit score, Ryder as soon as extra received up.
This time, Munguia was not going to let his man get away. Ryder’s nook stopped the struggle whereas Munguia hammered away on their man. “Ryder was a great fighter, but we’re ready to keep on going,” Munguia stated afterward. “I feel great, I’m motivated for the next fight.” When requested if he wished to struggle tremendous middleweight king Canelo, Munguia responded politely within the affirmative. “If Canelo gives us a chance, it would be an honor to be in the same ring as him,” he stated.
*Photo: Golden Boy Promotions
