Frank Warren exclusive: Garner is a quality fighter, I like him
After nine years in the sport, Ryan Garner has graduated to the point where he is able to headline shows and TNT Sports will make their way to the south coast to televise his vacant European title fight with Spain’s Salvador Jimenez from Bournemouth this weekend. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
The talented Garner, 16-0 (8 KOs), has had to overcome a number of obstacles to reach this point and Hall of Fame promoter, Frank Warren, has been with him every step of the way.
“He’s got himself in a position now where hopefully he does the business and sometime this year I think we’ll get him in a position where he may be fighting for a world title,” Warren told 32Red.
“Garner’s an excellent fighter. He’s still young and what we’ve got to do is just make sure that we make the right moves with him because he is a quality fighter.”
“Garner is a very skilful fighter”
Warren has seen hundreds of promising fighters come and go over the years.
For lots of naturally talented boxers, early success comes easily. The rounds are short, the opponents are limited and they gain even more confidence from successful sparring sessions.
Eventually, that raw ability needs to be supported by sheer hard work. Plenty of prospects have been carried too far away by praise, attention and outside distractions to get their way back and either get taught painful lesson or drift away from the sport for good.
Garner went through a rocky period earlier in his career but those who believed in him refused to cut him loose. Eventually, the size of the opportunity he could be wasting dawned on him and he rededicated himself.
Warren was one of those who refused to give up hope and, over the past two years, Garner has started to reward that belief.
“It was a couple of things. First of all, he’s a very skilful fighter. And, secondly, he’s a cheeky chappie and I like him,” Warren said when asked why he couldn’t let Garner go.
“He turned his life around”
“It’s one of those things that when you look at him – and I look at similar fighters like Mitchell Smith – they’re very talented and it’s like they can go one way or the other.
“They ain’t going to get by on their talent. Their talent gets them to a certain stage and after that it’s all about dedication. If you haven’t got that dedication it’s not happening. As Ryan showed with going up in weight and trying to get it off in a couple of days before certain fights that I pulled him out of.
“He turned his life around. He can’t screw up and I don’t think he will. He’s matured. Suddenly, he’s got to find money. He’s got a family, he’s got kids, you know. He ain’t down the pub with his mates.”
Earlier this week, Garner suggested to 32Red that providing he beats Jimenez and wins the European title this weekend, he wouldn’t shy away from a triple title showdown with British and Commonwealth 130lb champion, Reece Bellotti, on the next cross promotional 5 Vs. 5 battle between Queensberry and Matchroom.
“Well, there will be a 5 Vs. 5,” Warren said. “We’re working on that now but I’d love him to be on it.”
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