FEEDING TIME FOR THE PIRANHA!

NEXT WEEK, ALL Queensberry roads lead us to the South Coast and the city of Southampton for the first time.

Our little snapping Piranha, Ryan Garner, enters into the biggest fight of his career when he goes up against Michael Magnesi for the WBC Interim world super featherweight championship.

It is hard to believe that it is over 10 years ago now that a cherubic looking Ryan made his professional debut with us at York Hall. He came to us with plenty of amateur pedigree and he quickly looked the part as a promising young pro.

He was one of our big banker bets for the future, along with Anthony Yarde and Daniel Dubois, at the time and he looked destined to quickly move himself into title contention.

Unfortunately, in some ways, he had to learn the hard way that natural talent and ability can only take you so far in this business. You have got to be all-in at pretty much all times and an active social life has to be a casualty of that.

However, had Ryan progressed on the trajectory he was heading, it might all have come a bit too soon. He could have been out of the game by now because he probably wouldn’t have been ready.

A 28-year-old Ryan heading into a major world title fight is a very different prospect to a 22 or 23-year-old Ryan back then. He is mature now, he is seasoned in the sport and he knows what is required.

I am personally thrilled that Ryan pulled himself back from the brink because I’ve always had a soft spot for him and rate him so highly. I feel this is perfect timing for him now.

We have been a tight team from day one, along with his trainer and manager Wayne Batten, and it was always my goal to deliver a big fight for Ryan at St Mary’s, home of Southampton FC.

It has been such a pity for Ryan that Southampton does not have an indoor arena because it has meant him being developed away from his home patch. It has not diluted his popularity though as he is such a likeable young fella.

We got him closer to home for a couple of fight along the coast in Bournemouth, where he became European, along with British and Commonwealth champion. He also maintained his strong position with the WBC, courtesy of his International title.

But fighting him in Southampton was always the priority and this fight against Magnesi is No.1 vs No.2 in the rankings. The winner will go on to fight for the full title or be upgraded should the champion O’Shaquie Foster move up a weight to fight Shakur Stevenson as has been muted. Ryan won’t mind either way.

He has got a job on his hands against Magnesi, who is hugely confident himself and sought out this fight. British fans will probably remember him for his close run battle with Anthony Cacace a few years back and he is certainly the definition of a come-forward fighter.

So we have got a cracking fight for the St Mary’s crowd to look forward to and I urge the people of Southampton to come out and back your man to the hilt.

He is a proud Southampton boy who wants to do his city proud.