Garner grateful for St Mary's date with destiny

On Saturday night, Southampton boxer Ryan Garner will live out a childhood dream when he walks out at his beloved St Mary's.

Thousands of fans will head to Saints' home stadium in a significant night for the city as the ground hosts its first major boxing show.

Garner, who has previously held the European, British and Commonwealth super-featherweight titles, will take on Italy's Michael Magnesi for the WBC's interim 130lb belt.

"All these years of talking about it and manifesting it - now it's actually happening," the 28-year-old told BBC Sport.

"I just count my lucky stars that I've got this far. I dreamt about fighting here and having the fans behind me.

"To be able to sell enough tickets to be able to actually have an event like this happening, it's very hard to do so I'm forever thankful."

Garner, known as 'The Piranha', is unbeaten across his 19 professional fights with 10 knockout victories.

After beating Archie Sharp in the summer of 2024, Garner's promoter Frank Warren handed him his first opportunity to headline a major Queensberry bill.

He took the chance with both hands, beating Salvador Jimenez and Reece Bellotti in Bournemouth, across two shows, and picking up three belts along the way.

The winner of Saturday night's contest will become interim WBC champion and likely have a shot at full WBC super-featherweight title holder O'Shaquie Foster.

The American recently defended his belt with a majority decision victory in Texas over rival Raymond Ford.

For years, Garner has expressed his dream to fight at St Mary's in front of his supporters - and now he is getting his chance, he hopes a big performance will catch the attention of the other world champions in his division.

"I say it time and time again, I was destined to fight here," Garner added.

"I've ticked that box off now that it's happening - and now I know I'm destined to win. The way I'm feeling now, how sharp and strong I feel, I know it's going to be a clinical performance come Saturday night.

"I want people like O'Shaquie Foster or any of the other world champions after this, I want the biggest fights possible and to accomplish the most I possibly can."

As well as being a big night for Garner on Saturday, there are a number of other local fighters on the bill fulfilling similar dreams.

British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lewis 'The Saint' Edmondson fights the experienced Lyndon Arthur for the vacant WBA International belt.

Edmondson is looking to bounce back to winning ways after a first professional loss to Daniel Lapin by majority decision last summer at Wembley Stadium.

Exciting prospect Taylor Bevan is also in action, aiming to extend his unbeaten record of eight wins, all by stoppage, since turning pro in late 2024.

Cornwall's Brad Pauls features on the bill, returning to the ring after a dramatic ninth-round stoppage win over Shakiel Thompson in March.

He returns to the city where he graduated from university and boxed alongside the likes of Edmondson and Garner in his amateur days.