By Elliot Foster

John Ryder (25-4, 13 KOs) produced a career-best display to push his credentials for a world title challenge.

The former British title challenger outgunned Patrick Nielsen (29-2, 14 KOs) across five rounds at the SSE Arena in London.

Ryder boxed the WBA number one contender, exclusively live on ITV Box Office, as part of the undercard to George Groves’ Super WBA super-middleweight title defence against Jamie Cox.

And within a minute of the fight beginning, the Islington ‘Gorilla’ had found his range and got into a comfort zone.

It was less than two rounds in when Nielsen hit the canvas from a big shot by Ryder from which it looked like he may not recover.

To his credit, though, Nielsen stayed in there, despite Ryder’s dominance, and gave it all he could.

But with a swollen right eye, an end to the fight came at the end of round five when Ryder jumped on Nielsen who was not defending himself after his gum shield was dislodged.

After Nielsen hit the floor, the referee waved the fight away, leading to Ryder reaching for the ropes to jump on and begin the celebrations after what was undoubtedly the most scintillating display of his career.

Now, having beaten the WBA’s number one-ranked fighter, Ryder will be hoping that a fight with Tyron Zeuge, the division’s ‘regular’ champion with the sanctioning body, can be made.

And Kevin McCauley ended a 19-defeat losing streak as he outpointed Jamie Carley over four rounds.

Also on the card, Nathanael Wilson was stopped as he lost his undefeated record. The estranged son of Chris Eubank dropped to 4-1-1 (2 KOs) at the SSE Arena in London. Wilson was in against Jonny Phillips.

Phillips was on the back foot in the opening stages of the first round, but the 26-year-old, from Surrey, closed his eyes and swung a massive left hook which landed bang on the button of Wilson’s chin, forcing him to crumble to the canvas.

He rose during the referee’s count, but Howard Foster was dissatisfied and waved the contest off, judging that ‘Banks’ was in no position to continue.