John Ryder admits he was sharing a bloody, unforgiving 12 rounds with Canelo Alvarez in Guadalajara that ultimately finished him as a fighter. The southpaw, who retired after a stoppage defeat to Jaime Munguia in January 2024, now spends his days assisting Tony Sims at Matchroom Gym, guiding prospects like Ramla Ali, George Liddard, and Conor Benn.
Against Canelo in May 2023, Ryder’s nose was broken early and bled throughout, yet he fought to the final bell. That stubbornness earned him respect, but it also drained what was left. “At 25, the experience would have been fantastic. At 35, it was not so good,” Ryder reflected. “That last hurrah with Canelo was just one step too far.”
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The Brit’s résumé included fights with Danny Jacobs, Callum Smith, Rocky Fielding, and Jaime Munguia. He felt he beat Smith in 2019, only to be denied by controversial scorecards, and admitted COVID lockdowns robbed him of momentum when he was at his peak. Still, he fought his way back to earn the Canelo opportunity - a night he describes with pride despite the punishment.
Now 37, Ryder sees value in his experiences for the fighters he mentors. “I’ve stood toe-to-toe with one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters, nose broken in the second, and pushed him to the twelfth,” he said. “I know I can call on that with fighters I train - dig deep, bite down, and push through.”
For Ryder, the sacrifices brought a rewarding career: 32 wins, trips around the world, and the respect of peers. “I feel like I struck gold,” he said. “There are people better than me who left with less. I’m thankful.” Today, he channels the lessons of those brutal nights into shaping the next generation.
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