Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi

It’s great to see boxing in football stadiums in the UK. It seems we’re the only country that can supply a crowd every single time one of these events occurs. Ryan Garner will pack St Mary’s Stadium out with his local fans.

With the help of local light-heavyweight Lewis Edmondson, I can see a full house many weeks before the first bell goes. But the word of caution is that Michael Magnesi has mixed it with the highest company, such as Anthony Cacace, and has held his own, making it a hard fight (L-SD). His wins over the likes of Colombian Nike Theran, and Japan’s Masanori Rikiishi tell you much about the man from Cave, Lazio. 

This is just the sort of opponent capable of upsetting the biggest plans. As for Garner, he seemed to make the big breakthrough when he beat the then once-beaten Liam Dillon and followed that up with a victory over the unbeaten Archie Sharpe. Later, he went on to stop Reece Bellotti in the final round. Now he finds himself one fight away from a genuine world title. 

These occasions can lift a fighter to new levels. I think this is one of those occasions where we will see Garner battle his way through to the final bell and a deserved victory.