Latest news with #RyanGarner
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Garner expects 'fireworks' in Bellotti showdown
European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner has said that people can expect "fireworks" when he fights Reece Bellotti on two will meet for the British, Commonwealth and European super-featherweight titles at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Garner goes into the contest having recently picked up the European title with a victory over Salvador Jimenez in March."It's a massive opportunity for me," Garner told BBC Sport."I can be the first person from Southampton to be British, Commonwealth and European champion, so there's a chance to make history."I have massive respect for Reece but I think I'm better. That being said, this is my biggest challenge by a mile and I'll have to be at my best."It's going to be a very exciting fight and I think we will both bring fireworks, but I'm convinced that I will come away with the win."The 27-year-old is unbeaten as a professional and trains in Southampton with coach Wayne Batten, just a short distance away from the Saints' St Mary's Stadium. Wins against Liam Dillon and Archie Sharp earned him the opportunity to headline in the nearby town of Bournemouth in March at the same venue former WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith fought in three times. Garner and Bellotti's match-up has been tipped to be an exciting one because of their similar styles and attitudes in the men have been known to be in "tear-ups" and like to meet their opponent in the middle of the ring, inflicting a high and consistent output of have also both been recognised for having tremendous engines, not letting up or slowing down in previous 34-year-old Bellotti having five defeats on his record, since moving up in weight he has won six consecutive bouts, picking up the British and Commonwealth titles along the way. Bellotti comes into this contest off the back of an impressive victory over rival Michael Gomez Jr in Manchester, and he will be looking to silence the home supporters."I'm not taking this lightly at all," Garner added."I have to be switched on at all times because If I'm not then it could jeopardise everything that I have worked for, so I'll make sure that won't happen."I believe I'm getting better with every camp and I still think people are yet to see the best of me."I want to be known as the best fighter to have come out of Southampton. I believe I'm destined to fight at St Mary's Stadium and I'm not going to lose or let up on the way to that." Garner 'on verge' of world title fight - Warren Garner's promoter, Frank Warren, told BBC Sport: "If Ryan comes through this then he's on the verge of fighting for a world title in my opinion."Reece Bellotti is a good fighter, and he's going to come into Ryan's backyard - this will be a test for him."I think we're going to get a bit of a barn burner as far as the fight's concerned. I hope he comes through it and if he does we'll be looking to get a title fight on at Southampton's ground."Queensberry Promotions have put on stadium shows for some of their boxers before, with the most recent one a heavyweight showdown at Ipswich Town's Portman Road for Fabio Wardley. The BIC can hold about 4,000 seated people, and in March it was packed out for what was Garner's first major headline show. St Mary's Stadium holds about 32,000 seated spectators, plus more space on the pitch."It would be fantastic for Southampton and Ryan," Warren added."It would be a bit like what we did with Fabio in Ipswich and Josh Warrington in Leeds. There's nothing better than being in front of your own."Hopefully, we can get that world title for him down there. This is a tough test, but I believe he is capable of doing it."There'll be fireworks. It's going to be something special, and the pair of them are going to put on a fantastic night for the fans."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bellotti 'absolutely coming to spoil' Garner's party
Reece Bellotti says he is coming to "spoil the party" when he fights Ryan Garner in Bournemouth on Saturday. The 34-year-old British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion will travel down to the south coast and compete for the chance to add Garner's blue and gold European strap to his collection. Bellotti has 20 wins and five defeats to his name but since moving up to the 130lbs super-featherweight division he has a perfect six out of six record, picking up his two titles along the way. "Both of our styles are very similar," he told BBC Sport."It's going to be nothing but a great fight in my opinion and I think everyone else agrees."But absolutely I'm coming to spot the party, I wouldn't be here for anything else."Bellotti will step into a packed Bournemouth International Centre where Garner cruised to a convincing unanimous decision win over Salvador Jimenez earlier this year. The build-up to their fight so far has been respectful between the two but "the Bomber", as Bellotti is known, has already had a taste of what the atmosphere could be like on fight night. The two faced off in Garner's hometown at Southampton's St Mary's Stadium, external a few months ago and Bellotti was on the end of some jeers and boos from fans of "the Piranha". "I've dealt with these kind of atmospheres already," Bellotti added."I've been on a few away days across Manchester and Liverpool before and I'm looking forward to the challenge."My mindset is that he [Garner] is the toughest opponent by a mile, others might look at someone like Ray Ford, who's a world champion, and say he is, but for me Garner is the top one and I've trained accordingly." New-found form since moving up in weight Last time out, Bellotti forced rival Michael Gomez Jr to retire after putting him down twice at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester. That contest was originally supposed to take place in October 2024 but was put back to February of this year after Gomez Jr was taken ill on the night and ruled out of the contest by doctors. In the rescheduled bout, despite being cut over the right eye in the sixth round, Bellotti inflicted enough damage to Gomez Jr that he retired in his corner in the 10th. Before his switch to super-featherweight, Bellotti, from Watford, was defeated five times at 125lbs, between 2018 and 2021. But since then he has flourished at his new weight, claiming the iconic Lonsdale belt in 2024 with a victory over Liam Dillon."I believe in myself and I believe I can beat Garner," Bellotti said."People can write me off if they want, they'll see what happens on fight night, I learnt loads from my defeats and I'm better for it now."Mentally and physically I feel the best I've felt in my career right now, experience is key in this and coming up to super featherweight has really helped me, I've become more adaptable and grown as a fighter."
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Moses Itauma, Arnold Barboza Jr - Biggest winners and losers of WBO ratings update May 2025
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has announced its latest ratings, clarifying the title landscapes in many of its divisions. Following the refreshing of its lists, many fighters have shot up the rankings, whilst others have dropped away from potential title shots. We take a look at the biggest winners and losers of the WBO's rankings for May. Winners Chris Billam-Smith Chris Billam-Smith's stock has risen after defeating American cruiserweight Brandon Glanton at the end of April, with the Brit fourth with both the WBC and WBA. But it is with the WBO where he is now ranked highest, with the organisation elevating him from fourth to first. It was winning the WBO belt that made Billam-Smith a world champion in 2023, and the Bournemouth fighter defended his title twice before losing it to current holder Gilberto Ramirez. Highly ranked across all four organisations, Billam-Smith appears to be back in title contention six months after losing his world champion status. Ryan Garner Chris Billam-Smith's old haunt, the Bournemouth International Centre, appears to have a new star to fill its seats. Fresh off the back of a sellout in March, Ryan Garner returns there in July for all-British clash with Reece Bellotti at super featherweight. EBU European champion, Garner has entered the WBO's rankings at number 10. Unbeaten in his 17 professional bouts, Garner's hopes of a shot at a world title have been bolstered by his entry into the WBO's top 10. Moses Itauma Shortly after Moses Itauma's brutal second-round knockout of Mike Balogun on Saturday night, WBO president Gustabo Olivieri took to Twitter to confirm his status as the organisation's number one at heavyweight. Olivieri wrote: 'Moses Itauma has climbed the WBO rankings with talent, discipline, and electrifying performances. Now the #1 world-rated heavyweight contender, his moment is approaching. It's only a matter of time before he gets his shot and the world sees a new star emerge.' Despite the 20-year-old's number one status, Olivieri confirmed that Joseph Parker remains the WBO's mandatory challenger for reigning champion Oleksandr Usyk. He added: 'For the record: While Moses Itauma holds the WBO's #1 world ranking in the heavyweight division, this alone does not confer mandatory status. That designation requires defeating top-rated contender(s). Joe Parker remains the official mandatory and retains priority, per WBO rules.' Losers Christian M'Billi French fighter Christian M'Billi's exploits with other organisations has cost him his spot as the second-best super middleweight in the eyes of the WBO. The 30-year-old remains unbeaten in 28 professional bouts, but has not fought since August 2024. M'Billi is set to return to action this summer, facing Maciej Sulęcki in Canada on Saturday, June 27. Whoever wins that bout will receive the WBC's interim super middleweight title, with the full title held by Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez, the undisputed champion that also holds the WBO, WBA, and IBF titles. In a similar vein, heavyweight Justis Huni has lost his number one ranking with the WBO after stepping in last minute to face Fabio Wardley next month for the interim WBA heavyweight title. That has allowed the aforementioned Moses Itauma to rise from second to first in the WBO's ratings. Arnold Barboza Jr Arnold Barboza Jr has enjoyed a long relationship with the WBO, working his way up their ratings in the super lightweight division. In 2020, he earned the WBO international belt, before moving on to the organisation's inter-continental belt. Victory over Jack Catterall in February saw Barboza Jr pick up the interim world title, teeing up a bout with reigning WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Number one with the organisation before becoming interim champion, Barboza's defeat to Lopez at the start of May has seen the American tumble to fifth in the WBO's super lightweight ratings.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ryan Garner set for Bournemouth return to defend EBU belt against Reece Bellotti
Ryan Garner's next opponent has been confirmed, with the super featherweight set to defend his EBU title against Reece Bellotti. Undefeated Garner, (7-0 (8), picked up the EBU strap in March at the Bournemouth International Centre with a unanimous decision over the then-unbeaten Salvador Jimenez. Fighting out of Southampton, 'The Piranha' is set to travel to neighbouring Bournemouth on 26 July in a voluntary mandatory defence against Bellotti, 20-5 (15). Bellotti holds the the British and Commonwealth titles at super featherweight. Garner had been in talks with fellow Briton James 'Jazza' Dickens, 34-5 (14). Aside from his EBU title, Garner also holds the WBC international strap, having successfully defended it four times since winning it against Juan Jesus Antunez. Garner is seventh in the WBC's ratings and 13th with the IBF. Belotti is ranked 21st by the WBC and is unlisted by the other big three boxing organisations. 27-year-old Garner will hope that victory over Bellotti catapults him higher up the super-featherweight division. The weight class has thrown up some eye-catching bouts recently, with Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood going head-to-head last weekend. Former IBF and current IBO champion Cacace managed to stop Wood in his own backyard. Garner was twice set to fight Cacace, only for bouts to fall through in April 2022 and November 2023. Garner has since admitted that either fight against Cacace would have come too soon for the Hampshire boxer, who is slowly building to world title contention. Ever since becoming a professional, Garner has been signed to Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Anthony Cacace vs Ryan Garner - could twice cancelled fight be on the cards later this year?
Anthony Cacace may be fully focused on this weekend's bout with Leigh Wood, but there are always thoughts about what comes next for a fighter. A late bloomer and now 36, a shock technical knockout win over Joe Cordina to secure the IBF world super featherweight title last year has catapulted Cacace into the big time of British and Irish boxing. Prior to his world title shot, Cacace had been set to face fellow super featherweight Ryan Garner until that proposed bout fell through twice. With both men set to fight in the coming months, perhaps the duo will finally meet inside the ring. Cacace vs Garner cancellations have worked out for both parties In April 2022, Ryan Garner accepted the chance to step in on short notice to fight Anthony Cacace, only for the bout to fall through. A further meeting was scheduled for November 2023 but fell apart after Cacace injured his wrist. That proved to be a blessing in disguise for the Belfast fighter, who would be offered the chance to take on Joe Cordina for the IBF super featherweight world title the following year. Garner has since admitted that perhaps an earlier fight with Cacace would have proven to be a fool's errand. In fact, the man nicknamed the Piranha believed it was a bullet dodged. He told Queensbury Promotions' media: "I was the one that wanted that fight with Cacace, but now that I look back on it, it could have been too soon. Well, it would have been too soon, because I'm a different fighter now. So, I'm glad it never happened. Me being a fighter, I want the biggest fights, I want the biggest paydays, I want the chances. But now that I'm a bit older, more mature, I think that was too soon. With the benefit of time, Garner now feels differently. "At the time,' he says, 'I was like, 'I'm ready for this'. But now I look back and I've seen myself in the gym, and how physically much stronger I am now, a different head on my shoulders. That Ryan Garner isn't the Ryan Garner that is here today." Having avoided a potential loss in the form of Cacace, Garner has maintained his unbeaten record – with the Piranha now 17-0. Cacace is at a stage in his career where he wants the biggest fights possible, having eschewed defences of his IBF world super featherweight title in order to face Josh Warrington and Leigh Wood. In comparison, Garner is on the precipice of breaking into the world title picture, and whilst he may not carry the name power of Cacace's recent opponents, he can sell out an arena. The Piranha headlined a show at the Bournemouth International Centre in March, with thousands of his fans travelling from neighbouring Southampton to support their man. Garner's promoter Frank Warren has hinted that his fighter will return to Bournemouth in the summer in a possible defence of his recently acquired EBU super featherweight belt. According to the EBU, Garner is in private negotiations with James Dickens over a potential bout. A successful defence of his EBU crown would further increase Garner's stock and leave enough time in the final months of 2025 to arrange a fight with Cacace. Garner has long spoken about fighting at the home of his beloved Southampton FC, St. Mary's, and a fight with Cacace would draw a huge crowd to the Premier League stadium. Cacace has also shown that he is willing to enter hostile territory to fight, as evidenced by this weekend's bout in Wood's backyard of Nottingham. Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing DAZN is the home of combat sports, broadcasting over 185 fights a year from the world's best promoters, including Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
