Ryan Garner

Ryan Garner born January 5, 1998, in Southampton, England) grew up in Southampton and played in Southampton FC's youth team, maintaining a strong connection with the club. He has been introduced to fans at St Mary's Stadium and trains nearby. As an amateur, Garner secured a European amateur title (according to Boxing News), drawing attention from Frank Warren and earning the nickname "The Piranha."

He made his professional debut on June 10, 2016, at York Hall, defeating Ricky Leach by first-round knockout. In his first four fights, he recorded consecutive knockouts, building early momentum. His first major professional title came on August 18, 2023, when he stopped Juan Jesus Antunez in the third round at York Hall to claim the vacant WBC International super-featherweight title. He defended that title on May 11, 2024, winning by unanimous decision over Liam Dillon at York Hall. On March 1, 2025, at the Bournemouth International Centre, Garner outworked and outboxed Spain’s Salvador Jimenez in a dominating 12-round unanimous decision.

Outside the ring, Garner overcame a drug-driving conviction in 2017. Since then, he has emphasized the importance of family - especially his daughter - as grounding forces in his life.

Ryan Garner’s deep connection with Southampton FC and his background in their youth system have significantly influenced both his boxing tactics and mindset. As a young player in the club’s academy, he absorbed Southampton’s traditional football philosophy tactical intelligence and collective responsibility. This approach has translated into his boxing style. On the pitch, Southampton's style revolves around patient buildup through midfield, probing opposing defenses, and striking with intent. In the ring, Garner begins his rounds similarly - probing with jabs, manipulate his opponent’s position.

He credits his time at Southampton’s training ground with instilling discipline and humility. Whether speaking at St Mary’s before matches or reflecting on his football upbringing, Garner emphasizes that these early experiences helped him read situations, move and strike decisively when opportunities arise - all key skills in both football and boxing.

In the ring, Garner’s tactics mirror these footballing ideals: he controls the center, cuts off escape routes, and forces opponents backward, building rounds like phases of play. Like a midfielder distributing passes, he constantly resets with jabs before launching layered combinations - using jab-cross, hook-body, or uppercut variations, depending on his opponent’s defense. He’s not just throwing punches; he’s creating openings, much like Southampton’s midfielders do when finding spaces to unlock defenses.