John Ryder believes that the scorecards were overly generous to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez after the pair fought in Mexico on Saturday night.
The super middleweight champion was given the victory 120-107, 118-109, 118-109 after breaking Ryder’s nose on the stroke of the end of the second round, and also forcing a knockdown in the fifth with a one-two combination.
Speaking to DAZN after the fight, Ryder was asked about the shot to his nose,
He began, saying: “First and second round I thought I was having it all my own way. Last punch of the round, right on my nose. I stopped feeling sorry for myself after round eight. He had a great fight, not the result I was hoping for.
“Last shot of the second round, I stepped back, put my head down a bit and he threw the uppercut. Worked it 100 times, just heard the clapper, he landed it, perfection.
“20 odd years in boxing, first time I broke my nose like that. Blood down my throat, panic stations for a while, but got through it in the end. Great corner, kept me calm.”
Asked why he took the eight or nine count for the knockdown, Ryder explained that he was told by his corner to use the period to reset.
“I was gonna jump up fine, but just recovered - the first time I got knocked down - I’ve got a great corner and I had a clear enough head to take the instructions.”
Asked about how he relaxed in the eighth round, he made his observation about the cards being wider than he anticipated.
He explained: “The end was in sight, I didn’t feel like the punches weren’t having an effect, he was tiring, I was getting back into the fight.
“The scoring cards were a bit wide but it is what it is, his hometown.
“He’s very good, he’s very effective, he sets traps.”