Islington’s John Ryder won the vacant Interim WBO world super-middleweight title at the 02 Arena in Greenwich on Saturday when Zach Parker was unable to continue in the fifth round.

Previously unbeaten Parker had sustained an injury to his right hand in the previous round, leaving Ryder triumphant by way of a technical knockout in their scheduled 12-round contest on the Queensberry Promotion.

The four completed rounds were all close to score as Parker started well behind his jab to cause a few problems for Ryder, who gradually  got more into the contest by working well to the body.

Ryder had a superb fourth round as he caught his opponent with some excellent left hands to the head and forced Parker’s gumshield to come out at one stage.

Parker was also beginning to show marks around the right eye and, when the bell sounded for the fifth round, he walked over to Ryder and pointed out the injury to his right hand which he said later had been caused early in the fourth round when throwing a right uppercut which Ryder had blocked with his glove.

Parker was unable to continue and the contest ended there and then, with the Derby man suffering a first loss in 23 outings, while the win consolidated Ryder as the mandatory WBO title challenger for legendary Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez who is currently the undisputed super-middleweight champion of the world.

"It’s great and I can look forward to some great fights in 2023," said a delighted Ryder.

"I started the year well defeating Danny Jacobs and wanted to continue the momentum forward for 2023. Zach started well, but I felt like the tide might be starting to turn in the fourth and I was getting more on top.

"It was a bad injury for him, but these things happen in boxing. I would love to fight Canelo, it would be a great fight for me, a clash of styles with lots of interest for the fans.

"Canelo has always said he would like to fight over here and it would be great if Eddie (Hearn, Ryder’s promoter) could lure him over to meet me at the Emirates Stadium next year.”

It proved a hugely successful night for Ryder and much excitement for his large army of vociferous fans, with the real prospect of some fine fight action to come in the New Year for the very popular north London boxing superstar.