SOUTHAMPTON – “If I lose March 1st there’s nothing for me,” mentioned Southampton’s Ryan Garner.
“The Piranha” was talking forward of his March 1 Bournemouth battle with Salvador Jimenez for the vacant European junior light-weight title, figuring out {that a} win on the Bournemouth Worldwide Centre might earn him the battle of his goals at Southampton FC’s St Mary’s Stadium.
First, he should get by way of the 14-0-1 (6 KOs) Spaniard.
Three undefeated Southampton-born fighters are on the invoice, with Garner joined by Royston Barney-Smith and lightweight heavyweight Lewis Edmondson.
“It nonetheless feels nice that I am headlining,” mentioned Garner of the Bournemouth present. “There are some nice fighters right here and to be prime of the invoice with nice fighters on the invoice, it’s psychological. [Promoter] Frank [Warren] has at all times mentioned he’d ship and he has.”
Garner, 16-0 (8 KOs), was speaking at in the present day’s press convention in a lounge at St Mary’s Stadium and whereas he hopes for a battle right here in the summertime, he cautioned: “There may very well be some huge issues forward. However Jimenez is right here to tear up the script and upset me.”
Garner has been buoyed by consecutive 10-round wins over Archie Sharp and Liam Dillon, and each fighters field on this invoice. Of Jimenez, Garner added: “He’s sport, he’s match and robust however we’ll see on March 1st.”
Jimenez didn’t have loads to say, however defined that if he received it could not be an upset and instructed Garner “don’t make plans but”.
“I’m mentally robust, I’ve been ready for this for a very long time,” mentioned the customer. “I’m doing this for my sons and my spouse. As soon as I’ve one thing in my head, I’m dedicated.”
Heavyweight Joe Joyce additionally returns to motion for the primary time since his hard-fought loss towards Derek Chisora final 12 months.
“It’s good to be again and I’m prepared to start out the 12 months off with a bang,” mentioned Joyce. “There’s loads of huge matches left after that. I’m excited for this present. I’ve nonetheless acquired loads to present to the game. I take pleasure in my job, it’s an thrilling time now, and I wish to be concerned. Tune in and see the place I’m at.”
Joyce mentioned he can be keeping track of the February 22 match between two of his former victims, Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, but in addition mentioned he had heard Lawrence Okolie calling him out.
“I’m eager about all these fights,” mentioned Joyce. “It’s so good to be a heavyweight proper now. I’m prepared for all of it. I’ve been to the head twice; that is third time fortunate.”
The March 1 invoice additionally features a 10-rounder between Archie Sharp and Liam Dillon. Sharp, seeking to rebound from defeat to Garner, known as the always-courageous Dillon “a punchbag.” The 25-1 (9 KOs) Sharp mentioned he had been making 130lbs for too lengthy and now, at 29, has moved to 135lbs.
“I’ve acquired to make a press release on March 1. I’m extra hungry than ever,” mentioned Sharp. “He comes ahead, he’s robust, he’s match and he’s sport, so I’m trying ahead to displaying the most effective Archie Sharp.”
Dillon, who mentioned “this punchbag can be punching again”, countered: “I realized loads from my loss to Garner and [Reece] Bellotti and me and my coach have been engaged on my weaknesses.”
Coming off the most important win of his profession, over Dan Azeez, Edmondson defends his Commonwealth 175lbs title towards Bristol-based Nigerian Oluwatosin Kejawa.
“You’re going to see a devastating knockout,” promised the 10-0 (3 KOs) Edmondson. “He’s a very good fighter. The way in which I’m performing I don’t see anybody beating me.”
Unbeaten in 11, Kejawa thanked Edmondson for accepting the battle and added: “It’s going to be a very good battle, he’s acquired expertise, however it’s what it’s. I’m going to point out the world who I’m. He has energy, pace and all the pieces. We’ll see on battle night time.”
Barney-Smith, educated by Ben Davison, a junior light-weight who’s 13-0 (7 KOs), mentioned, like Garner, he additionally had the dream of boxing at St Mary’s Stadium.
“It’s a giant stadium; there’s good assist down right here. I’d like to return and placed on a very good present and convey a giant crowd down right here,” he mentioned.
He would additionally wish to deal with Archie Sharp sooner or later.
“I’d positively battle Archie. Not an issue. It’d be a very good battle. No downside,” he added.
Sharp, for his half, replied: “I believed it was a bit cheeky [being called out by an up and comer], however on the finish of the day, I’ve been there and if he comes as much as 135lbs I take my hat off to anybody who desires to check himself.”
