The former UFC champion shows off a broken tooth after a bare-knuckle match
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez fights John Ryder tonight in Guadalajara to defend the undisputed super middleweight title in a long-awaited homecoming.
The fight is Canelo’s first in Mexico since 2011 and his first outing since a points win over Gennady Golovkin in September. Canelo, 32, retained his belts in this fight to round out a trilogy with Golovkin and recover from his first loss in nine years – a loss to light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol. Another win tonight would only heighten the anticipation of the second leg against the Russian.
Meanwhile, Ryder heads to Mexico as the interim WBO champion after beating Zach Parker last time out. Parker suffered a broken hand in the fourth round in November as Ryder recorded a fourth straight win. Prior to that competition, the Brit’s biggest win was a decider against Daniel Jacobs last February. The 34-year-old is undoubtedly the underdog in tonight’s main event, but he’s determined to prove the doubters wrong.
Meanwhile, Canelo will be looking for an emphatic win to not only remain champion but stay on course for a rematch with Bivol.
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Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron Prediction
“I have a feeling the fight could get boring, Katie can get on the bike and Chantelle can walk backwards,” says Jessica McCaskill, who has lost to both women in her career.
“Katie showed some toe-to-toe action against Serrano but I feel like that affected her game.
“It’s a mega fight, it’s going to be interesting.”
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:47 am
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez stops Batista on undercard in 11th round!
Batista was caught in the ropes.
Martinez felt his moment was there and the left hook did the damage.
However, the fight will be remembered for the intervention of Mauricio Sulaiman.
VAR for boxes? Should the award have been enforced?
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:41 am
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez stops Batista on undercard in 11th round!
And just like that, it’s OUT!
Martinez ends the show in a flash, impressive!
A stoppage in the 11th round and Batista doesn’t complain.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:38 am
Canelo vs Ryder: Martinez on lead against Batista on undercard
Martinez is now in the groove and Batista has faded.
Meanwhile, Canelo has been working up a sweat backstage, the main event against John Ryder is NEXT!
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:36 am
Canelo vs. Ryder: Martinez receives a knockdown against Batista after the WBC President’s intervention
This is debatable, will it be decisive?
Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed that repetition is used to decide if it is a knockdown.
It was initially called a slip, but the WBC President appears to have stepped in, and now the referee is informing all three judges that it was, in fact, a knockdown in Martinez’s favour.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:25 am
Canelo vs. Ryder: Martinez rocks Batista!
They call it a slip, but Batista looked hurt.
The pressure is on now, Martinez lashing out in shots to the body and instantly looking the menacing fighter we’ve come to know and love.
Batista has rallied though, drama in the seventh!
(Getty Images)
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 03:22
Canelo vs. Ryder: Martinez fights Batista in undercard fight
The excitement is very high here!
Batista has good timing for Martinez here as we get halfway through this fight.
More whistles from the crowd increasing the pressure on the home fighter to change things up and throw more.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 3:19 am
Canelo vs. Ryder: Martinez rocks Batista in undercard fight
A nasty left hook from Martinez rocks Batista in the fourth.
The Panamanian staggers back onto the ropes but this one has been competitive so far.
Batista lands with an uppercut! Some whistles from the crowd now.
Both men exchange bombs to end the round, but Batista landed again after the bell, deducting a point.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 03:09
Canelo vs. Ryder
An intimate moment for Canelo conversing with his grandma who is willing to watch him fight for the first time.
Perhaps we shouldn’t underestimate the mental test for Canelo tonight and something Ryder can capitalize on.
The stage is unlike anything Canelo has seen before, and expectations and attention skyrocket.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 03:08
Canelo vs. Ryder: Martinez fights Batista as the main support on undercard
There’s a certain hostility here for the first few rounds.
Both men throw at the bell! Remember that Martinez’s lack of discipline in the early part of his career defined him.
He cleaned that up, but he needs to stay calm here.
Jack RatbornMay 7, 2023 03:06
