GUMSHIELD in, hands raised: point John Ryder in the direction of a boxing ring and you’re guaranteed value for money.

The super-middleweight contender returns to the familiar role of underdog on Saturday, climbing through the ropes to take on unbeaten Mexican Jaime Munguia in Phoenix, Arizona.

But after losing a one-sided decision to Canelo Alvarez last spring, has Ryder got anything left to upset the odds?

THE GORILLA

How do we define sporting success? Is it based on titles and trophies or money and memories?

Any athlete would strive for both, but also the significance on either evolves over time.

John Ryder has absolutely secured the latter. He’s earned seven figure pay days, headlined in the USA and Mexico and he’s walked last many times as the main event at home in London.

He is a throwback fighter in every sense of the word. One of the most action-packed British boxers of his generation, yet he’s not won a single meaningful title in 38 fights.

Three times the British title evaded him and twice already he’s had world title opportunities snatched from his grasp. But those setbacks fail to tell the true story of his 32-6 career.

Of his six losses, only two are undeniable: his 2015 seventh round TKO defeat to Nick Blackwell and last year’s lesson handed out by Alvarez.

BEATEN BY THE CARDS

British title defeats to both Billy Joe Saunders and Rocky Fielding left plenty for debate, whilst Jack Arnfield’s non-title points lasted sour and Callum Smith benefitted from a home decision in Ryder’s first world title chance in 2019.

Despite those transgressions however, Ryder has never turned his back on the sport.

And in 2022 enjoyed the best year of his career, with wins over former world champion Daniel Jacobs and ending the unbeaten streak of new Brit on the block Zach Parker.

But 27-year-old star Munguia is a significant step up in class.

TIJUANA TERROR

The six-footer from Tijuana carries a perfect 42-0 record featuring 33 knockouts and, whilst it is a little padded, he was still a dominant world champion down at light-middleweight, making five defences in just 14 months.

A switch to middleweight at the start of 2020 saw Munguia run up seven more wins, six inside the distance. But with no title belts on the table he moved up again last year to register his first win at 12 stone.

An aggressive puncher with a classic, eye-pleasing Mexican style, Munguia has often been described as raw and unorthodox. But there is no denying the power.

He likes to set a hot pace and is known for throwing wild combinations, which often leave him open to counters. But the addition of new head coach Freddie Roach may have started to address that.

Strong southpaw Ryder will have his successes, of course. Technically he’s good enough to create angles and land his sharp snappy shots to keep Munguia thinking.

But can he land significantly enough to quell the pace of the fight?

Munguia is chasing an all-Mexican superfight with Canelo (aren’t they all) and will want to make a statement by going one better than his countryman and stopping Ryder before the final bell.

His eagerness to impress could prove his downfall. But Ryder will need the performance of his career to emerge victorious.

TIP: Munguia on Points