Fast facts:
Age: 26
X: @piranhagarner98
Nationality: English
From: Southampton
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5ft 6ins
Record: 14-0 (8)
Division: Super-featherweight
Next fight: Garner hasn’t fought since August so he’s hopeful of returning before June.
BN: When and why you started boxing:
RG: I’ve got two older brothers I was always fighting with and I was fighting at school so just ended up going to the local boxing club, Southampton ABC when I was 10. I’ve stuck at it ever since.
BN: Favourite all-time fighter:
RG: To be honest, I haven’t really got a favourite fighter. I don’t really tend to watch much boxing.
BN: Best fight you have seen:
RG: As I said I don’t watch much boxing but one that comes to mind is Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti, a proper toe-to-toe war.
BN: Personal career highlight:
RG: My best achievement as a pro would have to be my last fight, beating Juan Jesus Antunez to win my first title (WBC International super-featherweight title).
BN: Toughest opponent:
RG: As a pro, to be honest, I haven’t had any proper hard fights yet. Maybe the toughest, in terms of his [9-1] record was Pedro Gomes.
BN: Best and worst attributes:
RG: My strengths, I’d say, would be my fitness and the ability to box as well as being able to stand in the pocket and fight. My weakness, well, I’d like to think I haven’t got any. Not any that I should be revealing anyway.
BN: Training tip:
RG: My best piece of advice for training would be to just give every session everything you’ve got – but don’t over train.
BN: Favourite meal/restaurant:
RG: It would have to be Chinese or Thai but, to be fair, I like all Asian food.
BN: Best friends in boxing:
RG: You haven’t really got best friends in boxing; you’ve got quite a few close people who are in your team and are all close in different ways. Perhaps my trainer Wayne Batten – we’ve known each other since I was about 13 and since I decided I wanted to turn over at 17 he’s been like a father figure.
BN: Which other athlete would you like to be:
RG: I’m alright being me (laughs).
BN: What would you change about boxing?
RG: Maybe improving some of the bad scorecards.
BN: Who would play you in a film of your life?
RG: Someone like a Jason Statham or Brad Pitt would play me well!
BN: Have you ever been starstruck?
RG: Never, but I’ve been happy to meet some famous people.
BN: Last time you cried:
RG: To be honest, I can’t remember. My missus even moans at me cause I didn’t cry when my daughter was born!
BN: Something not many people know about you:
RG: I used to collect coins, but don’t worry, I’ve stopped now (laughs).
