RYAN Garner’s life, both in and out of the ring, is now worlds apart from where he found himself in 2017.
Back then, the talented technician was staring down the barrel of an early retirement, confronted by each mistake that had contributed to his undesirable reality.
It was one particular incident – involving a recreational substance, his brother’s car and a fistful of bad ideas – that ultimately inspired the British Boxing Board of Control to suspend him.
That version of ‘The Piranha,’ however, could not be further removed from the man he is today, a European super-featherweight champion who, before long, could be presented with a shot at world honours.
“I’d say that around 99 per cent of people in my situation back then would have quit,” Garner, 17-0 (8 KOs), told Boxing News while reflecting on his past.
“Look where I am now – I persevered and got through it. I went through a rough time, doing all the wrong things, and made a few silly mistakes when I was younger. But I’m glad I’ve come out the other end.
“Who knows, maybe one day they’ll do a Netflix documentary on me. It’s been a mad rollercoaster!”
Since claiming his EBU title in March, Garner has become something of a local hero on the South Coast of England.
The 27-year-old will never claim to be a celebrity, of course, but the overwhelming support he has received, even if just in his home city of Southampton, has nonetheless made him feel like a glittering star.
So much so, in fact, that Garner is now angling for a showdown at St Mary’s Stadium – home of Southampton Football Club – in the summer of next year.
But in order for his boyhood dream to materialise, the unbeaten contender must first take care of business against British and Commonwealth champion Reece Bellotti.
The pair will square off at the Bournemouth International Centre, England, on July 28, with Garner headlining his second show at the venue.
Along with his success, too, comes the inevitable change of lifestyle, something that the Southampton slickster has quite simply taken in his stride.
“People will randomly come up to me now, asking for photos, and I’ll feel like a bit of a celebrity,” Garner admitted.
“It doesn’t feel real – I still just feel like a normal lad from Southampton. A couple of years ago, I’d never have thought that this would even be possible, being in the situation that I’m in.
“I played in a charity [football] match with [Southampton legend] Matt Le Tissier, so now I’m rubbing shoulders with icons – people I looked up to when I was younger.
“Everything’s amazing right now, and I don’t want it to stop, so I’ve got to win this fight [against Bellotti].”
