Boxing
'Never going to happen!' - Garner trainer Batten reflects on road to St Mary's
Garner vs. Magnesi on DAZN subscription - Saturday
Ryan Garner's St Mary's Stadium dream is something that trainer Wayne Batten admits he thought "was never going to happen".
The Southampton star will enjoy a blockbuster homecoming against Michael Magnesi this Saturday night, live worldwide on DAZN.
Victory for Garner will earn him the WBC interim super-featherweight title, nine years on from a conviction for drug driving offences.
Batten admits he is thrilled to not only land the biggest venue for his man, but also proud of how he has refocused his life since then.
Sparks fly as Zayas and Ennis meet
Relive DAZN FACE OFF here
“There’s been many a time when I said I thought it was never going to happen,” he told Boxing Scene on securing St Mary's.
"Frank [Warren] has been asking me for years what sort of venues we've got in Southampton. We've got no arenas or anything.
"The ultimate goal, and the dream, has always been [the stadium]. The football club have been fantastic in making it happen.
"In the last few years, I think [Ryan] has realised what he wants out of life. I think, mentally, that's really put him in a good place."
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
