Piranha Garner Means Buisness

Ryan Garner knows he is entering into the business end of his boxing career, with the Piranha preparing to take the short hop - or swim - along the coast to Bournemouth for his European title challenge on March 1.

The Southampton Snapper will take on the undefeated Spaniard Salvador Jimenez for the coveted EBU belt at super featherweight at the Bournemouth International Centre in his first fight on, near enough, home territory since 2016-17 when he had a couple of four-rounders in his native city.

Now 16 fights in and with the WBC International title belt in his safe keeping already, Garner is well aware that he is into the serious stuff now, the sort of fights that can create a comfortable future for himself and his young family, which recently welcomed the arrival of baby Harmony.

Off the back of big, statement victories over Liam Dillon and Archie Sharp

“I am headlining a show and it is life-changing,” considered the 27-year-old, who will be roared on by a full house at the BIC, roughly a 35-minute drive from home, a city which unfortunately is yet to build an arena.

“If I win this, it is even more life-changing. That is the way I look at it, I’ve got to win this fight, because it will change not just my life, but my family’s life. I’ve got to do it.”

The cheery and cheeky Garner is a proper little man about town these days. His hometown football club, Southampton FC, have embraced his exploits in the ring and got right behind the local boy done good.

The Saints might not be enjoying their return to Premier League competition, but the club are more than happy to throw their considerable reach in the direction of Garner and are making sure that his progress is known right across the fanbase.

“The club has been massively supportive of me. Since I won the title a couple of years ago they have got right behind me and have had me on the pitch and have been taken around the fanzones.

“I am really well in with the club, they have promoted me and my fights are advertised on all the big screens and backdrops - even during the games. I’ve also become friends with some of the ex-players.

“I know that if I come through this one in Bournemouth they will continue to get behind me and one day we want to do a show there. They want that too.”

Ryan Garner takes on Salvador Jimenez for the vacant European super featherweight title at the Bournemouth International Centre on Saturday March 1, live on TNT Sports. On the undercard, another Southampton local Lewis Edmundson will defend his Commonwealth light heavyweight title against Oluwatosin Kejawa and Royston Barney-Smith will fight for the vacant WBC International Silver title at super featherweight against Elias Federico Duguet.

The vacant Commonwealth Silver lightweight championship will be on the line for Bournemouth’s own Mace Ruegg when he takes on former British champion Liam Dillon and we also have a return to action for the Big Juggernaut, Joe Joyce, who goes up against Patrick Korte over eight rounds. Recent British title challenger Henry Turner will also fight over eight rounds against Cristian Bielma.

Super lightweight John Isaacs will have his second professional fight, super featherweight Charles Frankham is back in the ring over six rounds, as is Joseph Butler at lightweight, plus Luke McCormack will have his third professional fight over six rounds.