John Ryder will defend his WBA International Middleweight title against Jack Arnfield at the Manchester Arena on September 24. Ryder landed the strap in January with a points win over the dangerous Belarussian Sergey Khomitsky, and makes his first defense of the title in his third outing of 2016.
Arnfield challenges for his second title in the paid ranks having provided Nick Blackwell with a stern test in their British title bout in November, and Ryder expects a hard night’s work against the Blackpool man.
“It’s great to be back out and in a good fight with Jack,” said Ryder. “I had a good win in January against Khomitsky and then a six rounder in May so this has come at a good time for me. I had a couple of cuts in the SK fight that needed to heal so it’s no-ones fault that I’ve been out for a bit, but it has made me really hungry for this fight. I might have lost a bit of momentum but I’ve been training hard and everything is on track.
“Jack called me out on Instagram with a few other names and he’s got his wish now so let’s see what he’s got. I’m looking forward to it though, fighting in his backyard with his fans there, it should be a good atmosphere and I’m expecting a hard fight.
“I’m not looking past Jack at all but if I can get a good win against him and get out again before Christmas, then I will be at the front of the queue for a big fight at the start of the 2017.”
Ryder’s clash with Arnfield is part of a huge night of action in Manchester as Anthony Crolla and Jorge Linares lock horns in a mouth-watering unification battle for the WBA and WBC Diamond World and Ring Magazine Lightweight Championships.
Isaac Lowe defends his Commonwealth Featherweight title against Tshifhiwa Munyai and Conor Benn tastes his fifth night of action in the paid ranks with an appearance first at The O2 in London on September 10.
