Breaking: John Ryder Bids Farewell to Boxing World, Retires at 35!

After more than 14 years in professional boxing, John Ryder has announced his retirement at the age of 35. The British southpaw confirmed his decision on Tuesday, less than two weeks after his last bout, recognizing that it was time to move on to the next chapter of his life.

In a statement shared on his and Matchroom Boxing's social media channels, Ryder expressed his gratitude for his career, which began in Bethnal Green in 2010 and ended in Phoenix, Arizona. He highlighted the diverse venues he had fought in, from The O2 Arena and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to Alexandra Palace, Manchester Arena, and Guadalajara in Mexico, describing it as "some run" for a boy from Islington.

Ryder leaves behind a record of 32-7, with 18 knockouts and two interim super middleweight title reigns. His last fight on January 27 ended in a defeat against Jaime Munguia, marking his second consecutive loss and signaling the end of his accomplished career.

Despite a modest amateur career, Ryder made an impact in the professional ranks. He started with a perfect record in his first fifteen fights before suffering a narrow defeat to Billy Joe Saunders in 2013. He then operated at the UK domestic level, occasionally reaching the world level but falling short of a major breakthrough.

However, 2019 proved to be a turning point for Ryder. He claimed the interim WBA super middleweight title with a third-round knockout of Bilal Akkawy, setting up his first major title fight against Callum Smith. Although he lost that bout in a disputed decision, Ryder's performance elevated his status as an overachiever.

The pandemic interrupted Ryder's momentum, but he returned with four wins, including notable victories over Daniel Jacobs and Zach Parker in 2022. These wins positioned him for a shot at the WBO title held by Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, which he fought for in May 2023, displaying bravery despite a unanimous decision loss.

His most recent fight against Jaime Munguia ended in defeat, prompting his decision to retire. Ryder expressed his gratitude to his team, Matchroom Boxing, and his family for their support throughout his career. He also announced his plans to transition to coaching at the Matchroom Gym, indicating that while his professional boxing career is over, his involvement in the sport will continue.