Ryan Garner and the stadium fight that is nine years in the making

SOUTHAMPTON, England – Ryan Garner is ready for the pressure and expectation of a home crowd ahead of his dream fight on June 20.

Garner boxes Michael Magnesi for the WBC’s Interim junior lightweight title on June 20 at St Mary’s Stadium, home of Garner’s beloved Southampton Football Club.

Garner, 19-0 (10 KOs), said: “I’m well excited. It’s been a dream of not just mine but [trainer] Wayne [Batten]’s for many years, we’ve manifested it. [Promoter] Frank Warren has delivered and now I’ve got to deliver on my end. To have all my friends and family supporting me here, this is the pinnacle of the sport, come June 20 I’m going to become world champion in front of my friends and family. It’s a bit of a pinch me moment knowing all this will be here for me.”

Michael Magnesi, who is 26-2 (13 KOs), is nicknamed the “Lone Wolf” and he is an experienced campaigner having come up short against Anthony Cacace and Masanori Rikiishi. He’s won his last three fights.

“It’s a dream come true to be here. I know it will be a tough fight with some fire and we will do our best. I’ve got respect for Michael, Michael’s got respect for me. That’s boxing at the end of the day.”

Wayne Batten, Garner’s trainer, said that nine years ago, Frank Warren promised him that this night would happen, and he feels that the pressure Magnesi brings in the ring will serve to bring out the best in Garner.

“Hopefully this is the first of many,” said Garner of a possible return to St Mary’s as the champion.

The co-main is a light heavyweight battle between Lewis Edmondson and Lyndon Arthur. Manchester’s Arthur, a 25-3 (16 KOs) veteran, said: “It’s a good fight. I’ve just come off a win over Brad Rea and I’m looking for big fights. Lewis is alright. There will be no animosity. We are friends in boxing and we will probably make a good fight. It’s another stadium fight. It’s not Tottenham but Southampton will do. I’m not here to make up numbers. Let’s get it on."

Edmondson, who like Garner will have home support behind him, added: “We took it straight away. We don’t want no easy touches. We’re here. I’ve had back-to-back good fights and it’s put us in good stead for this moment and we’re ready. This is the fight that was offered and we took it. This is what we’re in boxing for, the big nights and the big fights and we’re not here to mess around.”