Undefeated Southampton-born boxer Ryan “The Piranha” Garner will look to make his dream come true this summer with a world title fight at St Mary’s Stadium.
Before this he will be looking to extend his record to 19-0 this Saturday in Dublin when he faces Mexican fighter Cristian Bielma.
The Saints supporter is on the undercard for the WBA super-featherweight world title fight between James Dickens and Anthony Cacace and will be paying close attention to the outcome of that clash as he could face the winner this summer.
With British and European titles already secured, Garner has reached a stage in his career where the next move towards a world title opportunity appears to be drawing closer. Frank Warren has confirmed to DAZN News that Garner is expected to challenge for a world title later this year.
Garner also told The Sun that plans are progressing for a dream fight at St Mary’s, with discussions ongoing with Southampton FC.
“I speak to Phil Parsons, Saints CEO, we’re in talks and as I say, hopefully in the summer it’s going to happen in St Mary’s.
“We’ve been in talks with the club for years so I’ve been building up a good relationship with the club for the last what, five-six years I reckon.”
The Piranha explained that his football club have been fully behind him, along with his Hall of Fame boxing promoter Warren.
Garner was originally scheduled to appear on the Dublin card alongside fellow Hampshire boxer Mark Chamberlain, who had been due to face Dublin’s Pierce O’Leary. However, the 27-year-old super lightweight was forced to pull out of the fight because of illness.
2025 proved to be a major year in the boxer’s career, as he captured the European, British and Commonwealth titles across two headline events in Bournemouth. The bout against Bilema comes seven-and-a-half months after his title victory over Reece Bellotti.
As well as being in a strong position to face the winner of Dickens v Cacace, Garner has climbed significantly in several world rankings. He currently sits number three with the WBC, ninth in The Ring Magazine rankings and 15th with the IBF.
Interestingly, Garner had been scheduled to fight Northern Irishman Cacace in 2023, but the contest was cancelled due to the latter’s wrist injury.
If Cacace defeats Dickens on Saturday, there is a strong possibility that the fight which fell through in 2023 could finally take place at St Mary’s in the summer.
The 28-year-old from Hampshire has been reflecting on the previously arranged fight and whether that moment would have been the right time for it.
He told the BBC: “Now looking back at it I definitely wasn’t ready, I was nowhere near the fighter that I am today and I hadn’t even done a 10-rounder before at that stage.
“Now I’ve done 10 and 12 rounders and I’m ready to step up, I believe I’m coming into my prime and I believe the time is right to start stepping up.”
Garner’s upcoming fight has been described as a “tune-up” ahead of a major headline bout. His opponent, known as El Gato Gordo, has a professional record of 19 wins (7 KOs), 12 losses and 2 draws.
However, he has struggled in recent outings, losing his last eight consecutive fights against high-level opposition.the last what, five-six years I reckon.
Saturday’s fight may look routine on paper, but it represents another important step towards a long-awaited world title opportunity for Garner.
If the Southampton fighter comes through the bout as expected, the path towards a summer showdown at St Mary’s, could turn Garners dream into reality.
