Photo courtesy of the Islington Gazette

Middleweight John Ryder will face Les Sherrington in support of the main event between heavyweight Anthony Joshua and former title challenger Kevin Johnson at the O2 Arena in London on Jan. 31, promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport announced on Monday.

Ryder (19-1, 11 knockouts), 26, has won four consecutive fights since falling by unanimous decision in September 2013 to undefeated Billy Joe Saunders, who could soon face WBO titleholder Andy Lee.

Sherrington (35-7, 19 KOs), 32, has won two straight since falling by ninth round knockout to former IBF beltholder Sam Soliman in December 2013. Sherrington is coming off last month’s unanimous decision over Samir Santos Barbosa.

“Sherrington is a great fight for me to start the year with a bang. He has bags of experience and has a good record of KO wins,” said Ryder, “so I will need to be at my best. But I have been working hard over Christmas and am in great shape. So I am looking forward to shining on Jan. 31.”

Also on the card, lightweight contender Kevin Mitchell will face Daniel Estrada.

Mitchell could earn his sixth straight victory in a run that has included four consecutive knockouts, the last coming by 11th-round stoppage over previously unbeaten Ghislain Maduma in May.

Mitchell, 30, was knocked out in his only losses, falling by third-round stoppage to Michael Katsidis in May 2010 and then in the fourth round to then-WBO beltholder Ricky Burns in September 2012.

The 29-year-old Estrada was last in the ring for a ninth-round stoppage loss to then-WBC titleholder Omar Figueroa Jr. in August, ending his nine-fight winning streak that had included five knockouts.

Other bouts will include junior welterweight bouts between Tommy Martin against Ricky Boylan and John Wayne Hibbert opposite Tyler Goodjohn.