Shortly before he was due to contest the European title, Ryan Garner spoke to Boxing News about hope, ambition and rising from a challenging past.
IN 2017, Ryan Garner’s ambition to become a world champion came crashing down, almost burning to ashes right before his eyes.
Up to that point, everything had seemingly gone according to plan. Emerging from the amateur ranks with a great deal of promise and excitement surrounding his early development, the talented technician signed a long-term deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions ahead of his eagerly anticipated professional debut.
At the time, it was a career that only seemed to be heading in one direction, with some tipping the unproven but highly-skilled youngster to become a bona fide star. And yet, all it took was one night – a night he will perhaps always look back on but never be able to change – for the trajectory of his rise to halt in its tracks.
At just 19 years of age, Garner was handed a suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBB of C) for crashing his brother’s car while driving under the influence of a recreational substance. All of a sudden, with his life in boxing being put to one side, he was instead ordered to do unpaid work in his home city of Southampton.
When he eventually returned to the sport, a series of weight-cutting issues ultimately contributed to large spells of inactivity at a stage of his career when, by his own admission, he was simply not taking boxing as seriously as he should have been.
But still, as bleak as his prospects seemed during those darker years, Garner’s long-term trainer, Wayne Batten, never once lost hope.
“I’ve given the man a lot of grey hairs over the years and caused him a lot of stress, all through my own fault,” Garner told Boxing News. “Even with Frank [Warren], it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride, but he’s always produced the goods.
“I had a blip; I was doing stuff outside of the ring that I shouldn’t have been doing. But I’ve got two kids now, got a missus who I’m engaged to, and have turned my life around.
“Thankfully, I’ve had Wayne and Frank stick with me the whole way. But I’ve got to deliver on my end of the bargain now and keep winning these fights.”
A fighter’s story is rarely plain sailing, devoid of any stumbling blocks or moments of jeopardy along the way. Rather, their success will often be determined by how they respond to setbacks. This, after all, is what makes boxing a deeply relatable sport. The theme of overcoming adversities is where fighters and civilians are more likely to find common ground.
With Garner’s story, though, there is still more to expect. Last year, ‘ The Piranha’ extended his unblemished record with two comprehensive performances to outpoint domestic rivals Liam Dillon and Archie Sharp.
In doing so, Garner, 16-0, 8 KOs has established himself as one of the most promising super-featherweight contenders on British shores, hoping to challenge for world honours in the not-too-distant future.
But first, the 27-year-old must complete his assignment this Saturday (March 1) at the Bournemouth International Centre, where he will take on unbeaten Spaniard Salvador Jimenez for the vacant European title.
Beyond his next outing, meanwhile, lies a potential stadium showdown at the home of Southampton Football Club, where Garner has dreamed of fighting ever since he first laced up a pair of gloves.
“It means the world to me [to be headlining in Bournemouth],” he said. “Unfortunately, there aren’t any indoor venues [in Southampton] that are big enough, so Frank’s delivered the next best thing.
“Even though it’s about 40-50 minutes down the road, I’ll still have a lot of fans travelling to see me fight.
“I’ve just got to get through this fight and it will open up the doors for me to fight at St Mary’s Stadium, hopefully this year. Frank will deliver it – there have been talks about [staging a fight there] in June.
“But listen, those talks will be chucked in the bin if I don’t get through my fight on March 1. I’ve just got to get through this first, and then we’ll start worrying about June.
“At this level, every fight is dangerous, and [Jimenez] is going to try and take my head off. He’s undefeated for a reason, so I’ve got to stay switched on at all times.”
By the time he steps through the ropes, it will have been nearly eight years since Garner last fought on the South Coast.
During that time, the region has seen a rise in boxing talent, with Chris Billam-Smith leading the pack after dethroning Lawrence Okolie for the WBO cruiserweight title back in 2023 on an unforgettable night at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth.
With several fighters in Southampton having injected plenty of excitement into the South Coast boxing scene, there is certainly a platform for Garner shine at St Mary’s Stadium this summer.
“You’ve got the likes of Chris Billam-Smith down in Bournemouth, but that’s Bournemouth,” Garner highlighted. “In Southampton, it’s the first time in a long time that we’ve got a good crop of fighters coming through, with me, Lewis [Edmondson] and Royston [Barney-Smith] all fighting on the same card [this Saturday].
“There’s been the odd good fighter here, but the professional boxing scene in Southampton has been dead for a little while, so it’s good to have the three of us down here now.
“To fill out St Mary’s Stadium, you need not just me on the card but also a few local guys who can sell tickets.”
If an outing at St Mary’s Stadium was not enough motivation for Garner to win his next fight, then the opportunity to face a world-level operator, or potentially even challenge for one of the four major belts, most definitely is.
“I know that, if I get through this [next fight], Frank could potentially deliver a world title [shot] or world title eliminator,” he teased.
“But let’s just say never fought again after winning the European title – I’d still be a happy man. The European title is massive! I won it as an amateur, so I’d love to win it as a pro.
“If I’m not ready [for world level] now, I never will be. I’m in my prime. Last year, I had two tough 10-rounders against [Dillon and Sharp], so this is the perfect time for me.
“I feel physically strong. Before, I was a young adult, but now, I’m a man.”
Not only has Garner discovered his man strength, but after experiencing several changes in his life, he has also developed a new level of maturity.
Last October, the crafty counterpuncher welcomed his second daughter into this world. And, while becoming a parent will always have a seismic impact on a fighter’s mindset, it seems as though the added responsibility could not have arrived at a better time for Garner.
Only last year did his career begin to take shape, presenting a light at the end of the tunnel. Garner remains focused on the task at hand while also knowing that, should he claim the European title, the limits to his rise will swiftly begin to dissipate.
But despite his lofty ambitions, a desire to be the best possible father for his two daughters has kept his feet firmly on the ground.
“I’ll be honest, it’s been hard work [juggling family commitments with life as a boxer],” he admitted. “But listen, you’ve just got to get through it.
“I’ve got two little girls – both under two years old – and I’m training full-time, trying to be a dad as well as a boxer. It’s hard, but I’ve just got to bite the bullet and get through it.”
