Canelo Álvarez outpoints valiant John Ryder in rowdy Mexican homecoming

Álvarez defeats Briton to retain WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF titles

HOMECOMING: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez of Mexico, right, fights John Ryder of Britain in a super middleweight title boxing match at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. Pic: AP Photo/Moises Castillo

Canelo Álvarez made a victorious return to Mexican soil after a 12-year absence on Saturday night, winning a wide decision over a bloodied but unbowed John Ryder to successfully defend his undisputed championship at 168lbs before a rollicking hometown crowd.

The 32-year-old four-division champion from Guadalajara busted Ryder’s nose in the third round, scored a heavy knockdown in the fifth and poured on the punishment in the later stages as the gulf in skill and class between the super middleweights became wincingly evident.