Southampton, England’s Ryan ‘Piranha’ Garner showed the predatory fish’ clinical ruthlessness on Saturday (1 Mar) in front of a packed-out nearby Bournemouth International Centre.
In an excellent stand-out display he captured the vacant European belt by dominating Spain’s Salvador Jimenez over twelve entertaining rounds on a unanimous decision, winning all.
A Queensberry promotion, shown live on TNT Sports, a raucous atmosphere was created by Garner’s supporters, also in allegiance to a shared passion for their soccer club Southampton FC. Sitting ringside was the current incumbent of the SFC manager role, Croatian Ivan Juric, who must have been impressed with finally seeing some new sporting success for the city.
The 27 year old Garner (now 17-0, 8 KOs) has had a stop-start career with many lengthy periods of self-inflicted inactivity, but, to his credit, has retained his undefeated record. Over the twelve rounds the ‘Piranha’ took all of the fight out of the previously undefeated Jimenez with an aggressive, almost punch-perfect display. There were no legitimate knockdowns in a thoroughly entertaining fight.
On Saturday’s victory the opportunities are lining up for Garner in a stacked domestic 130lbs (9st, 4lbs) division. His dream is a fight at St. Mary’s stadium, the home of his beloved football club, ideally in defence of his European or, at another title level. As he also holds the WBC International title that now looks more a reality.
Jimenez dropped to 14-1-1 (6 KOs) on his first venture outside of Spain and was brave throughout.
It was a double celebration for the City of Southampton as Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion Lewis ‘The Saint’ Edmondson successfully defended his title over twelve rounds against Bristol-based Nigerian Oluwatosin Kejawa. Again, there were no knockdowns in another clear unanimous decision.
Edmondson (now 11-0, 3 KOs) started strongly and although lowered the pace in the later rounds was dominant. It was his first defence of his title and in a stacked domestic 175 lbs (12st, 7lbs) division big fights await.
The 23 year old Kejawa (11-1, 5 KOs), at times, impressed in his first test and will undoubtedly come again.
The Undisputed 