Professional boxing is their business and supporting their local football team is another of their sporting passions.

Islington’s popular John Ryder supports Arsenal, while Zach Parker is a diehard Derby County fan, and the two meet over 12 rounds for the vacant Interim WBO world super-middleweight championship at the O2 Arena on Saturday.

The fight promoted by Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions presents Matchroom’s Ryder with a great opportunity to strap an Interim WBO world title championship belt around his waist after 12 years campaigning in the paid game.

It will be the southpaw’s 11th major championship contest and he comes to the ring with a record of 31 victories (17 inside) and five losses, having gained vast experience during 229 competitive rounds on his ring journey.

Parker, a professional since July 2015, is unbeaten in 22 contests and has 16 wins by the short route having negotiated just 99 rounds in the process.

He has been involved in five major championship title contests and is recognised as a big puncher, having had to travel 12 rounds but once, while Ryder has gone the distance on seven occasions.

Parker’s power takes on Ryder’s vast experience and ring craft in an epic encounter to be shown live on BT Sport, with Parker last boxing competitively in November 2021 and Ryder in action in February this year.

Ryder took time out as fight night approached to speak about his thoughts for Saturday’s world title showdown and stated how his mind at present was not looking towards any potential future fight with Mexican legend Saul Canelo Alvarez, the current undisputed world super-middleweight title holder.

"Nothing outweighs experience. My attention is fully directed on Zach Parker and beating Zach Parker. Then we’ve got a good title to go and defend against any number of good fighters out there," said Ryder.

"I’ve got tons of experience that I have earned from winning, losing and also sometimes being on the wrong end of disputed decisions. Every day is a school day for me. I will never stop learning in this game. I’ll always use experience to draw off to raise my game."

Some tickets for the fight are still available from axs.com.