Hours After Canelo Alvarez?s Historic Moment, Swimming GOAT Michael Phelps Pays Him a 2-Word Tribute

Canelo Alvarez’s spectacular performance in a thrilling boxing match recently caught the world’s attention. Defeating John Ryder, Alvarez successfully defended his super middleweight championship title. This thrilling match took place in Estadio Akron in Mexico, viewed by more than 60,000 fans live, where Alvarez dominated the contest. Reacting to this amazing win, swimming legend Michael Phelps also paid Alvarez a heartwarming tribute.

Phelps warmly complimented Alvarez on his recent Instagram Story after Alvarez emerged as the winner on 6th May, Saturday. The fact that this match was on his home ground with his 94-year-old grandmother witnessing this match made it more special for the Mexican boxer. So what happened in this match and what was Michael Phelps’s memorable tribute?

Highlights of Canelo Alvarez’s memorable match that led to a tribute from Michael Phelps

Competing for the first time after injuring his left wrist, Alvarez spared no effort against the 34-year-old English boxer. In the first round, both boxers enter the ring and begin to feel each other’s strong points and weak points. After gauging Ryder’s abilities, Alvarez aimed a punch in Ryder’s direction which instantly connects.

While defending himself from Ryder’s aimed punches, Alvarez continued his offensive stance and aimed punches aggressively at Ryder. In the third round, Alvarez hit hard on Ryder’s nose which led to blood oozing from there. Responding to Alvarez’s punches, Ryder directs an uppercut toward Alvarez and the punch connects.

Post this, the fierce contest continued and in the sixth round, Alvarez managed to hit a strong punch at Ryder’s temple with his right hand. This leads to Ryder stumbling briefly for a moment, later steadying himself for the second half of the match. With both boxers not ready to give up, the match continued with Ryder blocking punches from Alvarez more effectively.

In the final round, Ryder once again aimed an uppercut towards Alvarez, which helped him defend himself against the Mexican boxer. Though Alvarez didn’t achieve a knockout which many fans expected, he had enough points to win the match. The final scores of the boxing rounds were 120- 107, 118-109, and 118-109, leading to unanimous approval by judges to declare Alvarez as the winner.

Responding to this victory, Phelps gave Alvarez the tribute on his Instagram Story, “Congrats champ! @Canelo.” He also reshared a short video clip on his Instagram Story where victorious, Canelo raises his hand in celebration and is later given the world champion belt. This is not the only time Phelps showed his interest in boxers. Once, Phelps recalled an unforgettable meetup with boxing legends and a popular American gymnast. He further told how a well-known boxing legend inspired him in his swimming career.

Read More: ?It?s Been a Hell of a Career?: Swimming Legend Michael Phelps Broke an Age-Old Record Just Before His Retirement in 2016

Michael Phelps’s intriguing anecdote about his unforgettable meetup with boxers

Describing how he was acquainted with the world-famous boxer Muhammed Ali, Phelps narrated an interesting incident. “In 2004, we did a panel- me, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mary Lou Retton, and Muhammad Ali”, he recounted. Continuing, he expressed how he would never forget the incident and added that he still had a picture where Muhammad Ali was aiming a punch at him. Further, he recalled Ali’s advice.

“I remember him saying to me before I went to Athens “You’d better win all those medals”, he recalled. This motivated Phelps to give his best, who later won 6 gold medals and 2 bronze medals in Athens in 2004.

Phelps’s admissions hint at how he is deeply influenced by boxers and loves to update himself about what is going on in the boxing world. What are your thoughts on Alvarez’s and John Ryder’s thrilling match? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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