Akron Stadium, Mexico - WBO, IBF, WBA, WBC super middleweight champion Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez (59-2-2, 39 KOs) secured a hard-fought twelve round unanimous decision over mandatory challenger John Ryder (32-6, 18 KOs). (photos by Melina Pizano)

The scores were 120-107, 118-109 and 118-109.

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In the first, Ryder was going in close and trying to make it a rough fight. Canelo was looking to go after the body and digging in hooks. A bit of a technical fight in the second. Canelo had the edge, but it was close. The third saw Ryder's nose get busted open from a hard straight shot. Canelo was beginning to unload. Ryder was fighting back and landing, but his punches were not doing much damage.

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Ryder's nose continued to bleed heavy in the fourth. Canelo pressing the action and coming forward. In the fifth, Canelo landed a big combination two-punch that put Ryder down. Ryder got up at nine and was able to weather the storm by fighting Canelo off. In the sixth, Canelo was pressing forward and punching. Ryder was very game and exchanged when needed.

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In the seventh round, Ryder was holding his own as they were exchanging punches at close range. Ryder's nose was really flowing badly. There was one-way action at the start of the eight, with Canelo throwing and coming forward. Canelo's right hand was landing over and over again. Ryder was able to take them, but wasn't throwing enough in return.

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In the ninth, Ryder was allowed Canelo to throwing too many punches to set up counters. Several hard shots rocked Ryder and he appeared to be on the verge of going down again, but rallied with several hard shots that connected well on Canelo.

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The tenth was not a bad one for Ryder, who boxed, jabbed and seemed land better on Canelo. In the eleventh the action slowed down. Both were picking their spots. Canelo had the edge with the better connects. The twelfth and final round saw the two boxers exchanging on the inside. It was another slow paced round, with Ryder doing good work in the closing moments. 

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