After a long and successful career in boxing, John Ryder of England has officially announced his retirement at the age of 35. This decision comes after back-to-back losses in the ring, which has led Ryder to reflect on his achievements and future endeavors.
Ryder, who had a professional record of 32 wins and 7 losses with 18 knockout victories, is widely known for his expertise in the super middleweight division. Having been ranked as high as No. 9 by ESPN, Ryder's career has been marked by memorable fights and notable opponents.
The decision to retire was made just 10 days after Ryder's most recent defeat against Mexico's Jaime Munguia. In that fight, Ryder was dropped four times and eventually suffered a ninth-round TKO loss. This loss followed another significant bout in May 2023 against boxing's top star, Canelo Alvarez, where Ryder was defeated on points.
In reflecting on his retirement, Ryder expressed a sense of contentment and gratitude for the experiences he had throughout his boxing journey. He stated, 'Although I didn't manage to win that world title, I've achieved and experienced more than I could ever have imagined when I first put on a pair of boxing gloves. I wouldn't change that for any belt.'
One of the highlights of Ryder's career came in his fight against Alvarez, which took place in Mexico and was attended by over 50,000 passionate fans. Despite ultimately losing the match, Ryder put on an impressive performance, particularly in the later rounds, as he aimed to become the undisputed champion in the super middleweight category. However, his efforts came at a cost, as he suffered significant damage, including a broken nose.
Ryder's best victory occurred in 2022 when he secured a split-decision win against former champion Daniel Jacobs. Additionally, he had a memorable performance in a controversial 2019 loss to Callum Smith during a super middleweight title challenge.
While Ryder may be retiring from professional boxing, he made it clear that his passion for the sport will live on. He expressed his excitement to embark on a new career as a coach at the Matchroom Gym, where he will be working alongside Tony Sims. Ryder emphasized his commitment to remaining involved in the boxing world, stating, 'Although my professional career as a boxer is now over, the sport won't be able to get rid of me that easily. I look forward to officially starting my new career as a coach very shortly. There's no place like home.'
John Ryder's retirement marks the end of an era in the super middleweight division. However, his contributions to the sport, memorable fights, and determination will be remembered by fans and fellow boxers alike. As he transitions into the next phase of his career as a coach, there is no doubt that Ryder's expertise and experiences will continue to influence and inspire upcoming generations of boxers.
