Canelo Álvarez outpoints valiant John Ryder in rowdy Mexican homecoming

Canelo Álvarez made a victorious return to Mexican soil on Saturday night, winning a wide decision over Britain’s John Ryder to successfully defend his WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super middleweight title belts.

The 32-year-old four-division champion from Guadalajara busted Ryder’s nose in the third round, dropped him to the canvas in the fifth and poured on the punishment in the later rounds as the gulf in skill and class became evident. That left the durable and resurgent Londoner to settle for an ennobling defeat after finishing the bout on his feet before more than 50,000 spectators at the Estadio Akron.

One of the ringside judges scored it a 120-107 shutout while the other two turned in cards of 118-109. (The Guardian had it 117-110.)

Ryder, the 34-year-old Islington southpaw nicknamed the Gorilla, fought gamely from start to finish and did his best work in the final rounds, an almost unthinkable outcome during the fifth when he was nearly counted out and appeared bound for a stoppage loss.

“It’s a historic moment for me,” Álvarez said afterward in English. “I’m blessed to be here with my people who have supported me from the beginning. I’m glad to be here and thankful (to be here) with my people.”

More to follow.