Ryder knocks Sirotkin out, becomes WBA mandatory

John Ryder (27-4, 15 KO) scored a KO victory in the seventh round over the previously undefeated Andrey Sirotkin (15-1, 4 KO) and received the status of the official contender for the WBA super middleweight title in the main event at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Sirotkin had an advantage in the first rounds, but gradually Ryder was able to tilt the course of the battle in his favor and in the seventh round to hurt the Russian with an uppercut, and then force him to sink to the floor with a blow to the body.

Now, formally, Ryder is a contender for a meeting with the winner of Saul Alvarez - Rocky Fielding battle.