Ryan Garner says it’s all or nothing ahead of European title fight

SOUTHAMPTON – “If I lose March 1st there’s nothing for me,” said Southampton’s Ryan Garner.

“The Piranha” was speaking ahead of his March 1 Bournemouth fight with Salvador Jimenez for the vacant European junior lightweight title, knowing that a win at the Bournemouth International Centre could earn him the fight of his dreams at Southampton FC’s St Mary’s Stadium.

First, he must get through the 14-0-1 (6 KOs) Spaniard.     

Three undefeated Southampton-born fighters are on the bill, with Garner joined by Royston Barney-Smith and light heavyweight Lewis Edmondson.

“It still feels great that I’m headlining,” said Garner of the Bournemouth show. “There are some great fighters here and to be top of the bill with great fighters on the bill, it’s mental. [Promoter] Frank [Warren] has always said he’d deliver and he has.”

Garner, 16-0 (8 KOs), was talking at today’s press conference in a lounge at St Mary’s Stadium and while he hopes for a fight here in the summer, he cautioned: “There could be some big things ahead. But Jimenez is here to rip up the script and upset me.”

Garner has been buoyed by consecutive 10-round wins over Archie Sharp and Liam Dillon, and both fighters box on this bill. Of Jimenez, Garner added: “He’s game, he’s fit and strong but we will see on March 1st.”

Jimenez did not have a lot to say, but explained that if he won it would not be an upset and told Garner “don’t make plans yet”.

“I’m mentally strong, I’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said the visitor. “I’m doing this for my sons and my wife. Once I have something in my head, I’m committed.” 

Heavyweight Joe Joyce also returns to action for the first time since his hard-fought loss against Derek Chisora last year. 

“It’s good to be back and I’m ready to start the year off with a bang,” said Joyce. “There’s plenty of big matches left after that. I’m excited for this show. I’ve still got a lot to give to the sport. I enjoy my job, it’s an exciting time now, and I like to be involved. Tune in and see where I’m at.”

Joyce said he will be keeping an eye on the February 22 match between two of his former victims, Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, but also said he had heard Lawrence Okolie calling him out.

“I’m interested in all these fights,” said Joyce. “It’s so good to be a heavyweight right now. I’m ready for it all. I’ve been to the pinnacle twice; this is third time lucky.”

The March 1 bill also includes a 10-rounder between Archie Sharp and Liam Dillon. Sharp, looking to rebound from defeat to Garner, called the always-courageous Dillon “a punchbag.” The 25-1 (9 KOs) Sharp said he had been making 130lbs for too long and now, at 29, has moved to 135lbs.

“I’ve got to make a statement on March 1. I’m more hungry than ever,” said Sharp. “He comes forward, he’s strong, he’s fit and he’s game, so I’m looking forward to showing the best Archie Sharp.”

Dillon, who said “this punchbag will be punching back”, countered: “I learned a lot from my loss to Garner and [Reece] Bellotti and me and my coach have been working on my weaknesses.”

Coming off the biggest win of his career, over Dan Azeez, Edmondson defends his Commonwealth 175lbs title against Bristol-based Nigerian Oluwatosin Kejawa. 

“You’re going to see a devastating knockout,” promised the 10-0 (3 KOs) Edmondson. “He’s a good fighter. The way I’m performing I don’t see anyone beating me.”

Unbeaten in 11, Kejawa thanked Edmondson for accepting the fight and added: “It’s going to be a good fight, he’s got skills, but it is what it is. I’m going to show the world who I am. He has power, speed and everything. We will see on fight night.”

Barney-Smith, trained by Ben Davison, a junior lightweight who is 13-0 (7 KOs), said, like Garner, he also had the dream of boxing at St Mary’s Stadium.

“It’s a big stadium; there’s good support down here. I’d like to come and put on a good show and bring a big crowd down here,” he said.

He would also like to tackle Archie Sharp in the future.

“I’d definitely fight Archie. Not a problem. It’d be a good fight. No problem,” he added.

Sharp, for his part, replied: “I thought it was a bit cheeky [being called out by an up and comer], but at the end of the day, I’ve been there and if he comes up to 135lbs I take my hat off to anyone who wants to test himself.”