Boxing
Can Garner homecoming repair Southampton pride after football scandal?
Garner vs Magnesi: Watch only on DAZN - Saturday
Southampton should have been the place to be this summer before a footballing scandal rocked the south coast city.
With Southampton closing in on a place in the Premier League and Ryan Garner headlining at their stadium the following month, football and boxing were set to give the region a major boost, but now that responsibility is solely on Garner.
After being found guilty of spying on opponent's training sessions, Southampton’s incredible rise under their new manager, Tonda Eckart, saw them reach the play-off final where they were scheduled to face Hull City.
Before that, a member of their staff was caught watching Middlesborough's training sessions and the subsequent investigations into the matter saw the club receive a major punishment as they were expelled from the play-offs and also handed a points deduction.
Garner, a huge Southampton fan, was disappointed regarding how it all unfolded and with a huge WBC interim title fight at super-featherweight coming up this weekend against Italy’s Michael Magnesi, he feels a responsibility to give his people something to smile about again.
The ruling from the EFL split football fans with some believing the punishment was too harsh, but no matter the outcome, Southampton did break the rules and that decision has even led to some of their own supporters having no pity on the club they adore.
“There was a sour taste once it all came out and people were upset with the club, but I need all those people there to support me,” said Garner when speaking exclusively to DAZN News.
“I really need people to get behind this because we’ve never really had anything like this on the south coast. Chris Billam-Smith has done Bournemouth, but Southampton has never hosted anything like this with so many people.
“I’m hoping this can be the first of many. Not just for myself, but for all the young fighters coming through. Hopefully they can build on this and Southampton can then become one of the big fighting cities.”
Garner’s rise to this point has been an impressive one with hardly any bumps along the journey as he’s easily progressed from British level to the world scene.
Early in his career it appeared obvious that big nights awaited the talented fighter, and with his contests containing more significance in recent years, the timing of his leap onto the world stage looks to have been planned meticulously.
A win over Magnesi will bring him closer to a world title and with the division heating up nicely both domestically and abroad, Garner believes Saturday night is the perfect time and setting to prove what he has known for a number of years.
“I’ve known I’ve been world class for a very long time, but it’s all about taking the right fights at the right time. Frank’s the best at guiding my career and I just feel like I've been guided perfectly.
“The last three years have been perfect with the perfect fights at the perfect time slowly building my name. Not just building my boxing record but also building myself up in my city.
“The time is right now and If I’m not ready at 28 then when will I be? I feel like I’m at my peak and on June 20 it’s the right time to have a coming out party and introduce myself on the world stage.”
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.
