Ryan Garner exclusive: Let’s just say I’m not a boring fighter!
Ryan Garner had a nice surprise when he opened the well-known boxing records website BoxRec last week. The site has elevated him to the top of their British super featherweight rankings.
“It still doesn’t feel real, do you know what I mean?” Garner told 32Red.
Seeing himself ranked as Britain’s best 130lb fighter is the latest in a growing list of positives for ‘The Piranha.’
On Saturday night, Garner headlines a major show for the first time as TNT Sports make the trip to the south coast to televise his European title fight against Salvador Jimenez from Bournemouth’s BIC. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.
Garner has endured his share of ups and downs and has had to work hard for his success and although he isn’t taking it for granted, he is welcoming it.
“At this moment, everything is going well. Even me headlining the show. I’ve just been to the Saints [Southampton FC] training ground and getting photos with the manager and the players and that,” he said.
“It’s one thing after another”
“I think the manager’s going to come to the fight as well. I just spoke to him. It’s the FA Cup weekend and the Saints are out so he’s got a free weekend and I think a few of the lads are going to come down.
“It’s just one thing after another.”
The prestigious European title is the ideal next step for Garner. Over the past two years he has finally begun to fulfil his undoubted talent and beat former British champion, Liam Dillon, and the world rated Archie Sharp.
At the moment, Reece Bellotti is the reigning British and Commonwealth super featherweight champion but Garner has every right to suggest that he has earned his shot at the European title and the chance to move a step ahead of the man from Watford. Still the idea of holding that beautiful British title belt is something no fighter can completely turn their back on and Garner – who is promoted by Queensberry – fancies a triple title showdown with Matchroom’s Bellotti on a Saudi Arabian mega show.
“Everyone who’s won world titles, they go British, European and then world. I’ve kind of, gone past that bit and I would love to have fought it, but who knows?” he said.
“If I win this European, that could be a potential fight. Yeah, British, Commonwealth and European title on a 5 Vs. 5.”
“I could make things easier but that’s not me”
Before he can throw his name into the hat for a life changing payday, Garner has to get past the aggressive Jimenez.
Although he won’t know exactly what challenges the Spaniard will present until he gets in the ring with him, Garner has shared the ring with the only fighter Jimenez hasn’t beaten; Juanfe Gomez.
That knowledge leads him to believe that Jimenez won’t be prepared for the type of aggression, work rate and variety that he is planning on unleashing this weekend.
“Let’s just say I’m not a boring fighter. That’s a good thing, isn’t it? Even though sometimes I can make it a little bit easier for myself but that ain’t me.
“The fella he drew with – that Juanfe who I’ve sparred – is just a southpaw. He’s tricky and a bit awkward but not like a puncher. Not a body puncher, just all head shots. He’s nothing like me and they drew so imagine me going head, body, head body with my work rate.”
Garner is still only 27 years old but has already been a professional fighter for nine years. Although he is tremendously talented, there were plenty who doubted whether he would ever reach this sort of level. Now he is here, he is determined not to go anywhere. After all this time, everything has finally worked out.
“Yeah, I think it’s all down to me, mate. The only person who’s going to beat me is me if I’m honest, but I’m feeling good, I’m feeling strong,” he said.
“It’s just determination and working hard. You need to be, obviously, you need to be able to fight, sell tickets, be, like, friendly, get along with everyone. It’s just all come together really at the perfect time, really.”
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