John Ryder will step out in front of a hometown crowd this evening as he headlines Alexandra Palace in his super-middleweight clash with Daniel Jacobs.
Each fighter is seeking a third straight win here, with American Jacobs (37-3, 30 knockouts) having bounced back from his loss to Saul “Canelo” Alvarez by stopping Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and outpointing Gabriel Rosado. Meanwhile, Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) followed a decision victory over Mike Guy by securing a TKO of Jozef Jurko. A key question in tonight’s main event will be whether Jacobs will suffer from ring rust, however, with his narrow win against Rosado coming in November 2020. Ryder, in contrast, last competed in September, when he put Jurko away in the fifth round.
A victory over Jacobs would surely mark the biggest result of Ryder’s career, moving the 33-year-old closer to a title shot in the super-middleweight division. Jacobs, though, is similarly seeking to re-establish himself as a genuine contender. In the evening’s co-main event, Johnny Fisher faces Gabriel Enguema.
Follow live updates and fight results from Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder and the entire undercard, below.
John Ryder def. Daniel Jacobs
He’s done it! Ryder wins a split decision against Jacobs!!
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:23
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Those last few rounds were so close and really could be scored either way. Both men have to approach this like they need to win this final frame…
Jacobs is the busier fighter here. He’s taken a few risks, which might prove a wise decision…
The fight ends with a sharp right straight from Jacobs!
We’ll go to the judges’ scorecards. Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 115-113 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:19
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Two rounds left. This could go either way.
The opponents are trading punches, matching one another almost, but Ryder seems to just be landing with more power and snap at the moment.
Ryder ends the round well, he might have taken this one!
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 105-104 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:15
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Ryder is having more success when Jacobs is in a southpaw stance. Surely the American should switch back?
He lands a tidy jab, though. Ryder barely misses as he steps in with a right hook.
Some better distance management from Jacobs now as he moves backwards.
Better work from Jacobs, but his punches don’t have the snap they had earlier in the bout.
Ryder finishes the round well. That’s such a tough one to call… Jacobs’ – just?
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 96-94 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:11
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Sharp jab by Ryder. He then fires off a flurry of fast body shots in close!
Slip and jab by Ryder! Beautiful work. Jacobs is fighting southpaw now. The crowd are reacting to every punch Ryder lands.
Jacobs with some neat jabs, but Ryder with a sturdy straight that stuns the American!
Jacobs with a left hook in close! A much more competitive end to the round, but perhaps Ryder edged that one…
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 86-85 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:07
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Ryder comes forward and tries to keep Jacobs off balance, though he’s caught with a short jab on the way in.
Decent left straight lands for Ryder as he forces Jacobs onto the ropes. Now some fine counter right hands for the Londoner!
The pair clinch for a long period and Ryder connects with a right hook when they finally separate!
More success! Jacobs looks wobbly here! Ryder motions to the crowd as the round ends! He’s closing the gap…
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 77-75 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:03
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Jacobs has been content to fight in an orthodox stance for the last few rounds.
The pair clinch a couple of times and Ryder takes each opportunity to dig left hooks into Jacobs’ ribs.
Ryder starts to land after the last clinch and begins to get a rhythm going! Hooks, uppercuts!
Jacobs responds pretty well with shots of his own, but Ryder might have done enough there to take the round.
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 68-65 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 23:00
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Ryder has the bit between his teeth and is starting to land with some darting entries.
Snapping right straight from Jacobs, though. And another.
Left straight to the body by Ryder, before the men trade solid right hands in close.
A slick one-two from Jacobs late on might just steal him this round…
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 59-55 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 22:55
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Jacobs with a jab then left hook to the head out of an orthodox stance.
Better work from Ryder, but he’s getting caught each time he lands.
Just when Ryder starts to make Jacobs miss a bit, the American perfectly times a counter right hand!
Indy Sport’s scorecard: Jacobs 49-46 Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 22:50
Daniel Jacobs vs John Ryder
Ryder lunges in with a right hook to the ribs. Now a left straight to the chest.
Jacobs misses with a series of jabs but lands a right straight, before Ryder immediately fires off a straight shot of his own that stings the American.
Ryder clinches and looks to throw his weight around, but Jacobs lands some heavy uppercuts to the body.
Jacobs misses with a left hook then lands one – just. He ends the round well, though that’s the first frame that Indy Sport would score for Ryder.
Alex Pattle12 February 2022 22:47