Jaime Munguia makes strong statement with knockout of John Ryder

Jaime Munguia turned a trick that Canelo Alvarez couldn’t. He hopes it was enough to get the Mexican superstar into the ring.

The 168-pound contender dropped John Ryder four times before finally stopping him in the ninth round Saturday night at Footprint Center in Phoenix, only the second time the durable Londoner has been stopped.

Alvarez, the undisputed champion, was unable to KO Ryder — winning a clear decision — when they fought last May.

“I’m very happy,” Munguia said through a translator after his second fight at 168. “I got ready for this. I worked really, really hard for this. I know a lot of people didn’t believe in me.

“This is the result of hard work. We’re ready for 168.”

Munguia (43-0, 34 KOs) now has back-to-back victories over rugged, experienced opponents, having narrowly outpointed Sergey Dereyanchenko in June.

However, he was better against Ryder. He was more measured, more patient, and his punches did more damage.

Indeed, Munguia’s power was the difference in an entertaining fight that went back-and-forth at times. The 27-year-old Mexican put the normally sturdy Ryder (32-7, 18 KOs) down in the second and fourth rounds and twice in ninth.

However, it was a big overhand right in the opening seconds of the final round that was the beginning of the end, as the punch resulted in the third knockdown and hurt Ryder badly.

Ryder, under a brutal assault, went down again moments later from another right hand and another barrage from Munguia followed. That prompted Ryder’s cornermen to throw in the towel, giving Munguia arguably his most impressive victory.

The official time of the stoppage was 1:25 of Round 9.

The winner was pleased that he fought with more control against Ryder than he did against Derevyanchenko.

“You are correct,” Munguia said when asked about his pace. “The last time I was throwing punches like crazy. This time my timing was better, my timing was perfect. Ryder was a great fighter. We’re ready to keep on going.”

Munguia has indicated that he hopes to challenge Alvarez next, going as far to say that the champion’s handlers have reached out to him. Alvarez is expected to defend his belts in May.

Could Alvarez be next? Munguia was as measured with his comments as he was in the fight on Saturday.

“We don’t know yet,” he said. “Nothing is on the table yet. We want the best of the best at 168. We’re going to be world champion.”

Munguia was then asked whether he feels he earned a shot at Alvarez with his performance. Again, he didn’t want to say much.

“It’ll be a great fight among Mexicans,” he said. “And if Canelo gives us the chance, it will be an honor to be in the ring with him.”