COASTAL CHAOS FOR GARNER AND DICKENS

RYAN GARNER WILL make a first defence of his WBC Interim super featherweight world title when he returns to the Bournemouth International Centre on Saturday January 9 to take on former WBA world champion Jazza Dickens, live on DAZN.

The Piranha got to live out his dream back in June by being the first fighter to headline a show at St Mary’s, home of Southampton FC in his home city. The 28-year-old pulled in a bumper crowd for his top-of-the-rankings clash with Michael Magnesi, a former IBO world champion.

The hometown hero set a ferocious pace and dominated the exchanges to win clearly on the scorecards and, in turn, place himself in pole position for an ultimate mandatory shot at the full WBC title.

Since his promoter Frank Warren fulfilled his promise to return Garner to his home patch on the South Coast, his star power has grown along with his belt collection.

In his first fight back down south at the BIC in March 2025, Garner overwhelmed the previously unbeaten Salvador Jiminez to become European champion, to go with his WBC International title.

Then, in July of last year at the same venue, Garner inflicted a 12th round stoppage on Reece Bellotti to become British and Commonwealth champion.

Seasoned veteran Dickens, from Liverpool, was upgraded to full WBA champion after his Interim title success over Albert Batyrgaziev in Istanbul in July of last year.

It was just reward the 35-year-old who, in his previous fight, outfoxed Zelfa Barrett to win the WBA International title.

Dickens became IBO world featherweight champion in 2022 with a unanimous decision triumph over Lerato Diamini in Liverpool, but suffered a stoppage loss in his first defence against Hector Andres Sosa in Dubai the following year.

Previously, Dickens lost out in an IBF world featherweight title challenge against Kid Galahad in 2021 and famously took on the great Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBA Super world title at super bantamweight in 2016.

“This fight is a cracking way to kick off our 2027 schedule,” said promoter Frank Warren. “In terms of ticket sales, Ryan Garner has become one of the most popular fighters in the country and he delivers entertainment every time.

“I am thrilled that this highly productive period of his career is taking place on the South Coast, where he has proved a major draw. It was also a particular pleasure for me to deliver for him a fight at St Mary’s, which was his dream right from the beginning when we teamed up when he was 18.

“The event in June was a major success and we want to go back to St Mary’s again in 2027 for an even bigger fight.

“First of all though, Ryan will be tested by a wily old campaigner in Jazza Dickens, a veteran of numerous big fights and one tricky customer.

“This will be a toughest test to date for Ryan and rightly so. If he is to become the world champion we think he will be, then he needs to have the measure of Jazza and prove his readiness.

“I am sure Ryan’s army of fans will once again make the short hop down the coast to support him and make it another special night at the fantastic BIC.”