This past Saturday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, John Ryder (28-4, 16 KOs) of London stopped Bilal Akkawy (20-1-1, 16 KOs) of Sydney, Australia via TKO in the third round to capture vacant interim-WBA super middleweight world title.

Ryder won with time of 2:12 in the aforementioned round.

Ryder accepted the fight with Akkawy on late notice, after original opponent David Lemieux withdrew due to an injury suffered in training camp.

Now Ryder wants a world title crack at the full WBA champion of the weight, Callum Smith.

Both Smith and Ryder are promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.

Smith returns on June 1 as part of the Anthony Joshua vs. Andy Ruiz card at Madison Square Garden in New York City - and Ryder wants to be Smith's next fight.

"I felt great all week and it showed in there," said Ryder.

"I'm delighted with the stoppage but even more so because I didn't panic or rush when I had him hurt/ I picked my shots and put him away. To fight in Las Vegas was amazing and to put on a performance like that, possibly the best of my career, makes it all the more sweeter."

"That was for the interim title. I've won an eliminator, and I'm number one in the WBA so the message is clear, I want Callum Smith next. He's got a fight on June 1 on the AJ card and if he wins that, I want to fight him next. I've paid my dues and got into position for it. Callum is a brilliant fighter, and I know it's a tough fight but it's one that I want and I'd love. It would be a big fight in the UK and it would be a great fight too."