At 35 years old and with an impressive record of 32-6, John Ryder entered the ring at Phoenix’s Footprint Center with hopes of securing a final chance at greatness. However, facing off against the undefeated Jaime Munguia, who held a record of 42-0, Ryder was labeled the underdog. Many believed that he was brought in solely as a showcase opponent for the 27-year-old Munguia. Ryder had never tasted the spotlight before, although he was widely recognized as a skilled and serviceable fighter. Meanwhile, questions arose regarding Munguia’s choice of opponents at this stage in his career. After narrowly avoiding defeat in his last fight against Sergiy Derevyanchenko, the former WBO junior middleweight champion aimed to prove himself against A-list competition.
The fight began with an intense first round, as both fighters sought strategic positions to strike effectively. The crowd of ten thousand spectators at the Footprint Center created an electrifying atmosphere. Both Munguia and Ryder managed to land punches, but Munguia showcased more activity. In the second round, Munguia unleashed a thunderous combination that sent Ryder to the canvas, a feat that even Canelo Alvarez had failed to achieve. However, Ryder quickly rose to his feet, displaying his resilience and determination.
Surprisingly, Ryder bounced back in the third round, landing solid body shots and proving his ability to overcome Munguia’s speed disadvantage. Though Munguia scored a flash knockdown at the end of the fourth, Ryder continued to fight gamely. One area where Ryder seemed to falter was his over-reliance on counterpunching, which caused him to miss some opportunities to assert himself offensively.
As the fight progressed, both fighters displayed their skills. The fifth round saw exchanges of punches, with each landing well. Munguia proved his resilience by taking Ryder’s punishment, while the Englishman may have won the sixth round with clean and solid punches. The seventh round hinted at an energy drain from Munguia, as Ryder capitalized on his decreased activity and landed significant shots.
However, in the eighth round, it appeared that Munguia was on the verge of stopping Ryder. Despite enduring a relentless onslaught, Ryder displayed incredible fortitude, surviving the round and even performing admirably in its second half. Early in the ninth, a devastating straight right from Munguia sent Ryder to the canvas for the third time. Miraculously, Ryder managed to rise to his feet once more, displaying unwavering determination. Unfortunately, Munguia’s relentless assault proved too much for Ryder’s corner, who ultimately decided to stop the fight while Munguia continued to rain down punches.
After the fight, Munguia acknowledged Ryder’s skills and expressed his eagerness to continue his journey. “Ryder was a great fighter, but we’re ready to keep on going,” Munguia declared. He emphasized his motivation for the next fight, displaying his confidence and commitment to improvement. When asked about the possibility of facing super middleweight king Canelo Alvarez, Munguia expressed his willingness and deep respect. “If Canelo gives us a chance, it would be an honor to be in the same ring as him,” he humbly stated.
The showdown between Jaime Munguia and John Ryder was nothing short of thrilling. Despite being labeled the underdog, Ryder showcased his skills and determination, proving to be a formidable opponent. However, Munguia’s power and relentless attack ultimately led to his victory. With this win, Munguia solidified his claim for a chance to face top-tier competition, including the legendary Canelo Alvarez. As the boxing world looks to the future, one can only anticipate the excitement and anticipation that awaits in the upcoming bouts.
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