Garner to fight former world champion Dickens

WBC interim super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner will fight former world champion James 'Jazza' Dickens on 9 January in Bournemouth.

Southampton-based Garner, who is unbeaten across his 20 professional fights, will defend his interim 130lb strap for the first time since beating Italian Michael Magnesi in June at St Mary's Stadium.

Dickens, who has a record of 36-7, bounced back to winning ways with a decision victory over Ramadhani Kimwaga in September following his loss to Anthony Cacace for the WBA super-featherweight belt in March this year.

Cacace will take on Nick Ball in a defence of his WBA belt in December, while Emanuel Navarrete fights O'Shaquie Foster for the WBC, WBO and IBF titles on Saturday.

Garner won the European super-featherweight title in early 2025 before claiming the British and Commonwealth belts with a win over Reece Bellotti later that year.

"I'm really excited for this fight and with Ryan we have one of the best young fighters in the world," promoter Frank Warren told BBC Sport.

"We think he's a future world champion and this is an absolute cracker of a fight for the fans.

"We want to fill that place (St Mary's in the summer) up again if Ryan comes through, could you imagine if we had a world title fight there and everyone there behind the local hero for the real deal.

"Why shouldn't it happen? All of those fans down there are up for it and we know that they are, we know there's a great audience down there."

Garner's fight at St Mary's Stadium in June lasted for 12 high-paced and gruelling rounds as he outpointed Italian Magnesi with a classy display in front of 13,000 of his supporters.

Since that contest Garner has recruited his former opponent to his gym, with trainer Wayne Batten now looking after both fighters in Southampton.