By Shaun Brown

Sergey Khomitsky (30-12-3, 13 KOs) will get another chance to become a Brit-slayer when he faces middleweight John Ryder, live on Sky Sports, on January 30 at the Copper Box Arena, London.

Khomitsky is three, three and one in his series against British fighters which dates back to 2009 when he lost to the now four-time world title challenger Martin Murray on points in an eight round contest.

Since then the 41-year-old Ukranian has lost to Murray once again as well as Ryan Rhodes but got the upper hand on Jamie Moore and more spectacularly against Frank Buglioni and Adam Etches in recent years.

The latter he knocked out inside four rounds back in March with his only draw against a UK fighter, between 160 and 168lbs, coming against Nick Blackwell in Monte Carlo last year.

Blackwell gave Ryder his second professional loss to date when stopping the Londoner in seven rounds to win the vacant British middleweight title back in May.

Ryder's promoter Eddie Hearn has rightly described this as a "crunch fight". A win for Ryder puts him back up the ladder and back on course for more title opportunities. A third defeat, after losing to Blackwell and Billy Joe Saunders, would open up a debate as to whether or not 'The Gorilla' has what it takes to move up a level.

The January 30 show is headlined by the return of world super middleweight title challenger George Groves.

Shaun Brown is Boxing Scene’s UK News Editor. Follow him on Twitter @sbrown2pt0 or contact him at sbrownboxing@gmail.com