Mike CoppingerESPN May 7, 2023 9:55 am2 Minute Read
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Against a backdrop of more than 51,000 passionate fans who have waited nearly 12 years for their hero to return, Canelo Alvarez retained his undisputed super middleweight title with a unanimous victory over England’s John Ryder on Saturday at Akron Stadium.
Boxing’s top star Canelo punched and bled Ryder, knocking him down in round 5 but failed to knock out the challenger. Alvarez decided to take the points with 120-107, 118-109 and 118-109. The 32-year-old fired home run right shots down the stretch but Ryder, whose nose bled profusely for most of the fight, showed immense courage when he heard the closing bell.
Alvarez had not fought in Mexico since his victory over Kermit Cintrón in Mexico City in November 2011.
“This is a historic moment for me,” said Canelo, ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer. “I’m happy to be here with my people who have supported me from the start. I’m very grateful to be here and very grateful with my people.” He’s a very strong fighter man. And when he’s all set, turn him on. [The opponents] are more difficult than usual, but I knew that. I’ve been in this position for a long time… and I respect my opponents because I know they come for everything.”
The fight was Canelo’s first since his left wrist surgery in October. Alvarez said he overcame the pain in his three previous fights (most recently a decision win over Gennadiy Golovkin in September to complete their trilogy) and that it hurt even putting on gloves in the dressing room.
Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) plans to fight again on September 16 (he regularly makes headlines on Cinco De Mayo weekend and Mexican Independence Day weekend) and he has only one encounter in mind: a rematch with the light heavyweight champion Dmitri Bivol.
When they met last May, Russia’s Bivol (21-0, 11 KOs) pulled off the surprise and gave Canelo his second career defeat in a defeat. That was Alvarez’s second fight at 175, and after that he returned to defend his four 168-pound titles.
Canelo, ESPN’s No. 5 pound-for-pound boxer, said Thursday he was only interested in the rematch occurring at 175 pounds, while Bivol told ESPN he only wants the rematch for Alvarez’s undisputed championship at 168 will accept.
“I want the same conditions, everything as in the last fight,” said Canelo. “…I think I’m better than him – that’s it. If you see the first five rounds, six rounds, I’m dominating the fight. But then of course I get tired because I’m not training at my 100%.”
Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Alvarez and Bivol, told ESPN Thursday that he will begin negotiations for the rematch next week.