Garner to face Magnesi for WBC interim title in Southampton

Former British and European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner will headline a show at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium this summer.

The unbeaten 28-year-old will fight Italian Michael Magnesi in his home city for the WBC interim super-featherweight title on 20 June.

Garner is ranked third in the WBC’s current super-featherweight rankings, with the 31-year-old Magnesi first.

They will compete for the chance to face current world title holder O’Shaquie Foster, who is reported to be fighting the number two ranked contender Raymond Ford this summer in Texas.

This opportunity will be the realisation of a childhood dream for Garner, who has made no secret of his love for Southampton FC and desire to headline a contest at their home ground.

Nicknamed ‘The Piranha’, he comes into the contest off the back of a 2025 filled with momentum, picking up the British, Commonwealth and European titles across two headline shows in Bournemouth before vacating them early this year.

“This has been my dream all along and now it is coming true, Frank [Warren] promised me he would make it happen and he has always delivered for me right from the beginning,” Garner said.

“I believe this will be one of the biggest single sporting events ever to take place in the city and I know that I’ve got the Southampton people behind me. It will just be an amazing occasion but I have a job to do against a tough opponent so I can make sure we can do this again and again.

“I am thrilled that we are sticking to the WBC title and, when I win this one, the champion will have no place to hide.”

Also announced on the bill is current British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lewis Edmondson from Southampton, who will take on former European title holder Lyndon Arthur.

Edmondson comes into this fight off the back of a first career defeat to Daniel Lapin at Wembley Stadium last July. He won his Lonsdale Belt in late 2024 with victory over Dan Azeez in London.

Fight ‘a gateway to the big time’ – Warren

Frank Warren has promoted Garner throughout his professional career [Getty Images]

Garner’s most recent fight was a third-round stoppage of Mexican Cristian Bielma in Dublin on the undercard of Anthony Cacace’s win over James “Jazza” Dickens.

He will become the first person to headline a boxing show on the pitch at St Mary’s Stadium and would also become Southampton’s first boxing world champion should he win.

“I am personally delighted to be putting on this special night for Ryan at St Mary’s,” added promoter Frank Warren.

“I am extremely fond of Ryan as he has been with us since day one on turning professional at 18 and his talent and potential has always been obvious.

“It has taken a little bit of time to get to this point and through Ryan’s efforts and title successes, I can now deliver on my promise for him to fight at the home of Southampton FC, who have supported him tremendously.

“Winning this fight against Magnesi is Ryan’s gateway to the big time and more major fights and massive occasions.

“I would like to extend my thanks to the staff and officials at Southampton FC for their help in making this happen for Ryan.”

Boxing on the south coast has grown in recent years with Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith claiming the WBO cruiserweight title at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium in 2023.

Queensberry’s stable has a number of fighters from Hampshire who could also feature on June’s bill, with Mark Chamberlain and Royston Barney-Smith also making a name for themselves in recent years.

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