Garner Does Not Anticipate Cordina Having Any Issues With Cacace

On Saturday night, Ryan Garner scored the best victory of his career by beating Liam Dillon over 10 exciting rounds. 

The 26-year-old Garner is already by a pool in Turkey nursing a black eye and a cocktail. 

Garner, 15-0 (8 KOs), showed signs of real quality during his victory over former British super featherweight champion Dillon, and also had to call on previously uncapped reserves of desire and stamina as the tough Londoner put in a tremendously brave effort. 

Garner will probably be too busy to concentrate fully on this weekend’s massive card in Saudi Arabian where Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will meet to decide the first undisputed heavyweight champion in a quarter of a century. 

If he does catch up on the action when he gets home, he would take particular interest in the undercard and Joe Cordina’s IBF super featherweight title defense against Belfast’s Anthony Cacace, a man Garner has agreed to fight twice in the past. 

Garner was offered a late notice fight with “The Apache” back in April 2022 but although he accepted, circumstances meant that the fight didn’t take place. The clash was then revisited last November but Cacace injured his wrist and was forced to withdraw. 

The cancellations may prove to have been a blessing in disguise for Garner. His undoubted talent would have given him a chance of beating Cacace but the hard hitting, awkward Irishman isn’t the type of opponent you want to be answering questions on the fly against. 

“The Piranha” should become an even better fighter after the 10 violent rounds he shared with Dillon and – if he gets the chance to say ‘Yes’ for a third time – the fight could end up having world title implications. 

“That’s what we dream about. I’m fighting to set my family up. I just have to keep aiming high, keep winning and showing what I’m about,” Garner told BoxingScene.

“If I’m honest, I’ve only watched Cordina briefly. Not very much at all really. You have to fancy him though don’t you? He’s a very good fighter from what I’ve seen. Cacace’s a bit old [35] now isn’t he? Cordina’s sharp, powerful, explosive and he’s younger and probably lives a bit better. I just think you’ve gotta go towards him.”