Ryan Garner exclusive: I can’t afford to slip up now

When Ryan Garner’s career is over and people examine his record and list of achievements, his second round stoppage of one Eduardo Valverde probably won’t attract much attention.

For Garner though, that night back in May was a significant moment.

Garner looked electric in taking apart the Spaniard. Those unfamiliar with the 25 year old must have been impressed by this exciting, new super featherweight. Those who have followed Garner’s story since he turned professional seven years ago watched him go about his business with a smile on their faces. Garner himself just felt pleased that he had finally reignited his career.

“Yeah I’ve wanted it to happen for a long time. I know what I’m capable of but I really, truly don’t believe I’ve managed to put it together. It was a relief to me that I finally I got to show what I can do,” Garner [13-0, 7 KO’s] told 32Red.

“I was doing a lot of strength work for the last fight and sparring Michael Conlan in the build up to it. Everything just went well. I’ve always had it. I knew it was just a matter of time. It’s a case of getting everything perfect in the build up. That’s a massive thing.”

Garner’s issue is that he hasn’t always done things perfectly in the build up but the reaction to his performance spoke volumes. Boxing people were genuinely pleased to see a glimpse of what he is capable of. Garner began catching the eye of boxing insiders as an amateur and looked to be a nailed on future star when he burst onto the professional scene as an 18 year old.

“I’m really starting to peak”

Garner describes the incidents that slowed his progress as “hiccups”. Really, they were just the result of a talented youngster wanting to enjoy his life outside of the ring and failing to find the right balance. Now, with a partner and a daughter to support, Garner has settled down. Throughout all the ups and downs, his supporters could never give up hope on him.

“When I spoke to everybody afterwards and I looked back and watched what Carl Frampton and Buncey were saying, people seemed happy. Then I read all the messages that people were sending me. They all said the same thing. That I’d looked really good.

“When I fight rubbish I don’t wanna hear anything,” Garner laughed. “Fighting is the same as sparring, deep down you know if you’ve done well or if you’ve done bad.

“You know how people were raving about me when I was 20? Well, if I’d been in these big fights then it might have been a step too soon. I wasn’t as mature and as strong as I am now at 25 when I’m really starting to peak and get my man strength. Who knows what might have happened. I might have come unstuck.”

Garner fights Juan Jesus Antunez [12-1, 4 KO’s] for his first title this weekend. Although he has stopped seven of his 13 opponents, ‘The Piranha’ likes to take little bites out of his prey until he tastes blood in the water. Then he becomes a predator. For all the latest fight odds, visit our sportsbook.

Now he is fighting over championship distances, we should see the best version of him. Garner knows that now he finally has some momentum he can’t allow it to grind to a halt. Having climbed the ladder this far, a slip up would send him down a very long snake.

“I’ve gotta grab these chances with both hands”

“With my style I think the further the rounds go, you can break them down. Also, they slow down more and you can pick your shots,” he said. “When you’re doing these four and six rounders, you’re rushing and you wanna get them out of there. Taking my time more, picking my shots better. When you’ve got ten rounds you don’t need to rush things.

“I can’t really afford to slip up now. If I believe I’m as good as I am and as good as people think of me, I should be beating these people. If I were to lose, it half is and half isn’t game over. I might not get the chance again. Because of the hiccups I’ve had in the past it’d be hard to come back from. Not for me but from the promoter’s side it’d be hard to give me another chance. That’s why I’ve gotta grab these chances with both hands.”

Garner is now fully locked in, watching and noticing everything that goes on in his division. His past mishaps have proven to him exactly what he needs to do to succeed and what will hold him back from achieving his dreams. Just a few weeks ago, Liam Dillon battled his way to the British super featherweight title by beating Qais Ashfaq. Dillon instantly became Garner’s next target.

“Hopefully I win this one and then I said to Wayne [Batten, Garner’s trainer] that why not go for the British title and Liam Dillon straight after? Get a roll on. Obviously Liam’s a good fighter but not at the level I think I am if I’m honest,” Garner said. “I’ve got more power than Qais Ashfaq has got. He’ll keep walking on to punches. I wanna get this fight done, hopefully look good and then be straight on to the blower to Frank [Warren] to try and get that fight made.

“It’s a big thing for me. If I win this WBC International belt on Saturday and then fight for the British and win that, then even if I decide to go down the WBC route in the future, my name will be in the books that I won that British title. When I retire, not many people can say they’ve won the British title. If this goes well I’m gonna be right on the phone to get that going. Why not?”

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