Ryan Garner will fight Michael Magnesi for the WBC interim world super featherweight championship on June 20, it was announced today.
The fight will take place on the pitch at St. Mary’s, home of Southampton FC, and be shown live by DAZN.
For Garner, a native of Southampton, the fight against Magnesi represents a dream come true. He has in fact spoken of his desire to one day fight at St. Mary’s ever since turning pro and now, on June 20, he gets the chance to do just that. Better yet, a win against Magnesi at St. Mary’s will move Garner a step closer to becoming the “full” WBC world super featherweight champion.
Garner, 19-0 (10 KOs), won the WBC international title at York Hall in 2023, when stopping Juan Jesus Antunez inside three rounds. He has since then made four successful defences of the belt, beating the likes of Liam Dillon, Archie Sharp, Salvador Jimenez and Reece Bellotti. He has also added the British, Commonwealth and European titles to his collection.
Meanwhile, Magnesi, 26-2 (13 KOs), has previously held the WBC international title, as well as the IBO title, which he picked up following a fifth-round stoppage of Patrick Kinigamazi. He defended that title twice before travelling to Manchester to take on Anthony Cacace in September 2022, only to lose via split decision.
Since that first pro loss, Magnesi has won the WBC silver title, lost it and won it back again in fights against Nike Theran, Masanori Rikiishin and Khalil El Hadri respectively.
“This has been my dream all along and now it is coming true,” said Garner. “Frank promised me he would make it happen and he has always delivered for me right from the beginning.
“I believe this will be one of the biggest single sporting events ever to take place in the city and I know that I’ve got the Southampton people behind me. It will just be an amazing occasion. But I have got a job to do against a tough opponent so I can make sure we can do this again and again.
“I am thrilled that we are sticking to the WBC title and, when I win this one, the champion will have no place to hide.”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “I am personally delighted to be putting on this special night for Ryan at St Mary’s. I am extremely fond of Ryan as he has been with us since day one on turning professional at 18 and his talent and potential has always been obvious.
“It has taken a little bit of time to get to this point and through Ryan’s efforts and title successes, I can now deliver on my promise for him to fight at the home of Southampton FC, who have supported him tremendously.
“Winning this fight against Michael Magnesi is Ryan’s gateway to the big time and more major fights and massive occasions.”
Another Southampton local fighting at home on June 20 will be British light heavyweight champion Lewis Edmondson, 11-1 (3 KOs), who will tackle European champion Lyndon Arthur, 25-3 (16 KOs), on the Garner-Magnesi undercard. At stake in that fight will be the European and Commonwealth belts.
