Garner stops Bellotti to claim domestic treble
The first half of the bout was fiercely competitive, both men exchanging big shots and having moments of success as they wrestled for control of the fight. Bellotti's best efforts came in the sixth round as he swiped a powerful left hand across the face of Garner that stunned him momentarily.But in the second half Garner showed his quality, moving in and out of range quickly and proving too sharp for his opponent. He turned up the pace in the final rounds, landing a big left hook to Bellotti's jaw in the 11th and then throwing thunderous combinations in round 12 that connected and made Bellotti stumble backwards before the referee called a halt to the fight. Garner admitted afterwards that he told his trainer Wayne Batten he was confident he was going to win before going out for the final round."I went through the gears in the fight," Garner added. "I believe I won every round so I was confident with where I was, I was telling Wayne (Batten) that I've won this, going into the final round. "Earlier in the fight I hit him clean and he looked like he was going to go but he stayed in there, in the final round I just stuck it on him and was ultimately too much."
There was a heavy Southampton FC presence at the BIC for the fight, with former player James Beattie and ex-Saints interim boss Simon Rusk ringside. Beattie was pictured stood between the two boxers for the weigh in and was one of the first to congratulate Garner in the ring afterwards. Victory for "The Piranha" now moves him to within touching distance of being able to achieve a dream and fight in his hometown at St Mary's Stadium, which could happen next summer after the footballing season has finished. "I'd die a happy man if I fought there," Garner said."I've done myself proud winning four belts and now another box I need to tick is fighting at St Mary's, it would be a childhood dream come true. "We'll see what comes next though, I just want the biggest fights with the biggest money to provide for my family. "My life is changing all the time and now I've got through this one I can buy a house, I've got two beautiful girls at home and my fiance I want to provide for, I'm so happy."
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