Jaime Munguia vs John Ryder Recap
On Saturday we saw Jaime Munguia reach a new level. Not only did he make himself at home in the super-middleweight division by defeating Ryder in 9 round, but he proved that his new partnership with Freddy Roach was a good move as he showed new wrinkles to his game throughout.
The fight began with Jaime showing respect to Ryder, keeping his distance a bit while Ryder appeared to be the aggressor. Though as the minutes ticked past Munguia was ramping up his offense.
In the second round Munguia was working behind his jab and eventually worked Ryder into a corner. It was there that Munguia threw a huge straight right that landed clean and dropped Ryder. John rose from the canvas rocked, but resolute. It was apparent that he was hurt and Munguia smelled blood. The burst of forward aggression from Munguia actually helped Ryder to get a good hold of the young man where he started throwing back in the clinch and on the inside in an effort to get that knockdown back, though the effort was in vain.
The next couple of rounds Munguia was uncharacteristically bouncing on his toes when there was a break in action. Jaime did seem acutely aware of Ryder’s success on the inside and was making more of an effort to keep the range where he wanted it by using more of his jab, taking small steps to the left and right and even clinching some himself to mute Ryder’s offense. Ryder, attempting to force an opening for himself threw a double jab to get inside but was met with a strong counter-jab from Munguia that put Ryder on the canvas once more in the fourth. This time Ryder didn’t appear to be rocked, though the look on his face showed that he was realizing just how strong and formidable the younger Munguia was. This time, Munguia stayed composed and stayed behind the jab that put Ryder down moments earlier.
As the bell rang for the fifth round to begin, Ryder seemed to realize he was outmatched and he was going to have to start selling out if he was to come out on top. Ryder was sneaking some good shots in, landing flush, but Munguia remained undeterred. As Ryder’s offense increased, the opening for Munguia did as well. Landing big shots from range that were rocking Ryder, but didn’t see him fall. Even with the small successes, things were looking worse for the Brit.
In the 6th and 7th footwork became the name of the game. Both showed their aptitude in this regard. Each man was picking their spots more selectively which slowed the pace. This favored Ryder slightly and allowed for him to get his timing and land more of his own offense, briefly shifting momentum slightly in favor of Ryder. Munguia was less offensive minded, and looked to be building up some energy for the rounds to come.
Munguia picked his pace back up in the 8th round and was throwing and landing some heavy blows. Ryder again was rocked by a few of them but continued to throw with Munguia in hopes of timing him. Ryder’s legs began to give a little more with every landed shot, and he knew it. He answered in the only way he knows, throwing more. “The Gorilla” Ryder landed a huge right hook that put Jaime’s offense on pause, but it was only a brief respite for the underdog as things were about to get worse for him.
In the ninth and final round Jaime Munguia shifted to a higher gear from the jump. Munguia threw a left hook to Ryder’s body which brought his hands down momentarily. Shortly thereafter Munguia landed a huge overhand right onto the forehead of Ryder. There was a brief moment after the shot that Ryder’s brain sent a desperate plea to his body to stay upright, but that message never made it to his legs. As he stared at his opponent, almost in disbelief, Ryder crumpled to canvas. It wasn’t long before he willed himself back onto his feet and again though Ryder’s long night was surely coming to an end. Again, Ryder refused to relent and again, he came at Munguia. As he readied his right hook Munguia landed a right to the head and followed up with a beautiful left hook to the ribs of Ryder that saw him hit the canvas yet again, and as Munguia hopped on the corner in celebration, yet again rose to his feet.
It was at this point that Ryder’s corner, and everyone else in the arena, knew it was over. Everyone, that is, but the ref and Ryder himself. As Ryder’s corner-man was leaning over the ropes, towel in hand, Ryder was clinching and even landed two well placed right hooks on Munguia. All the while the crowd, the coaches, and various other officials were shouting at the ref that the fight was done. Seeing as the ref was laser focused on the athletes before him, all the commotion in the periphery fell to the wayside. This forced the hand of the time-keeper who actually began ringing the bell signifying that the fight had reached it’s conclusion. This was one of the most strange endings to a fight in recent memory. To his credit, when the unorthodox and unexpected final bell rang, Ryder was on his feet.
As is always the case, John Ryder showed up, showed his heart to the world and stayed game despite being outmatched and dropped 4 times in 9 rounds. And as is also always the case, Jaime Munguia showed impressive stamina and volume. This time though, he had added patience and a jab to set up his shots, strength at his new weight, and solid footwork, proving that Freddy Roach is a welcome addition to Team Munguia. After such a performance there is much speculation about the future match-ups of Jaime Munguia, but the only thing certain at this point is that it is a bright future indeed.
