Callum Smith clings on to WBA super-middleweight world title with controversial points win over John Ryder
CALLUM SMITH clung on desperately to his WBA super-middleweight world title after edging John Ryder out in a controversial points win.
The 6ft 3in Liverpool hero was expected to swat aside Islington’s 5ft 9in hardman, in front of his home fans, but he was dragged into the deepest of water and taken dangerously close to his first defeat.
Southpaw Ryder, nicknamed the Gorilla, bullied and battered his way past Smith’s long jab and right hand to score with dozens of hooks and uppercuts, leaving him bloodied and bruised.
But the three judges saw a very different fight and handed it to the local star with landslide scorecards of 117-111 and 116-112 twice.
Smith said: “It was definitely harder than I thought it would be, he stopped me from doing what I am good at and it was not my best performance.
“I was due a bad performance and it was my first time getting a bad cut as well. I want the best names in the division next, I want the big names now.”
After Smith tested the water with a couple of range-finding jabs, it looked like Ryder had snatched the first round with some impressive late work.
Throughout the fourth Ryder again chopped away at the beanpole champ’s body but the willowy ace was not bending.
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Smith got out of the pocket in the sixth and saw an instant improvement in his form, connecting two arrow-like right hands with Ryder’s chin.
Smith started the last round well, with a crunching one-two and he landed another heavy right that still failed to hurt the stocky slugger.
Ryder roared back and they wrestled on the ropes before embracing at the final bell.
Ringside Sky Sports pundits Johnny Nelson and Darren Barker had Ryder ahead but all three judges were well convinced the other way.