Zach Parker (22-0) looks to acquire the WBO ‘Interim’ super middleweight title when he challenges John Ryder (31-5) at the O2 Arena this Saturday.
Parker is a former British champion who has yet to taste defeat in his 22 fights. Parker brutally dispatched Marcus Morrison in two rounds last time out and looks to continue his hot run of form. Parker was slated to face former WBO middleweight champion, Demetrius Andrade, at his beloved Pride Park in Derby, but the bout would get postponed.
Parker carries power in both fists, as he has knocked out 16 of his 22 opponents, giving him a knockout percentage of 73%.
Ryder is coming off the back of the biggest win of his 36-fight career, as he defeated former two-weight world champion, Daniel Jacobs last time in February at Alexandra Palace, London. Ryder challenged Callum Smith back in 2019 for Smith’s unified crown but would come up short, although many believed he was robbed of a decision.
Ryder has only lost against top level opposition and is in the best form of his career, as he is placed high up in the governing bodies, his knockout percentage is not as high as Parker’s as it stands at 47%, but Ryder is a tremendous inside fighter and could use his small stature to his own advantage.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez holds all the gold in the super middleweight division, but with an uncertainty of him returning to the super middleweight division on his return, meaning the winner of this bout could become elevated from ‘Interim’ champion to WBO world champion.
The undercard sees Hamzah Sheeraz (16-0) look to add the vacant Commonwealth title to his WBC silver middleweight title when he fights River Wilson-Bent (13-1-1). Sheeraz comes off the back of his career-best win over Francisco Torres, as Wilson-Bent will be looking to get back to winning ways as he came up second best against Tyler Denny last time out.
One of the UK’s hottest prospects Dennis McCann (13-0) looks to pick up the vacant Commonwealth title against Scotland’s Joe Ham (17-3). McCann continues to progress up the ranks and will look for a statement victory this Saturday.
Sam Noakes (9-0) also looks to pick up a vacant Commonwealth title, as he challenges Calvin McCord (12-0) for the lightweight strap in a battle of undefeated prospects.
Pierce O’Leary (13-0) looks to pick up his first title as he challenges Emmanuel Mungandjela (16-3-1) for the vacant WBC International super lightweight title. O’Leary lived up to his ‘Big Bang’ nickname last time out as he produced a stunning stoppage over Robin Zamora.
Super lightweight Sonny Liston Ali (4-0) looks to remain undefeated as he takes on Georgi Velichkov (3-6). Cruiserweight prospect Tommy Fletcher (2-0) looks to continue his perfect start to his pro career when he takes on Jiri Krejci (1-2-2). Finally, Joshua Frankham (6-0) returns on the biggest stage of his career so far.
This huge night of boxing, headlined by Parker vs Ryder, takes place this Saturday at London’s O2 Arena. All the action can be watched live on BT Sport from 7 pm.