SOUTHAMPTON boxing hero Ryan Garner will do an FA Cup shift with Matt Le Tissier – as the dreams keep becoming reality.
The South Coast’s’ super-feather slugger has booked the biggest night of his career on June 20 at St Mary’s – where he takes on Italian tough guy Michael Magnesi, 31.
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Ryan Garner facing off with Michael Magnesi Credit: PA
Matt Le Tissier is the Saints legend nicknamed ‘Le God’ Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
But first up is a trip to Wembley this weekend – to entertain the Saints as they march in to face Manchester City in the semi-final.
It’s a fantasy fixture for the 28-year-old – alongside a bonafide Dell idol – and hopefully the start of a sensational summer for him and his beloved boyhood side.
Pitchside in the sunshine, Garner ‘The Piranha’ told JattvibeSport: “I’m going to the Man City semi-final, I’ve been asked to do something on one of the supporters’ coaches where the Saints fans go on.
“Franny Benali is doing one, Matt Le Tiss will be on one, you talk to the fans on the buses and interact with them all.
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“It’s important because they’re the ones who are going to be coming here to St Mary’s to support me.
“So it’s good to be in and amongst them at Wembley being in and amongst the fans.”
Is it crazy to mention himself on the same bill as the club’s greatest player – the screamer specialist nicknamed ‘Le God’?
“Mate,” he laughed, “James Beattie, Franny Benali, Le Tiss – Saints legends – I almost see them as friends now! It’s a bit surreal.
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
May
Sat 2 – Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Undisputed super-bantamweight title – TBC
Sat 2 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN PPV
Sat 16 – Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
June
Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
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“I’m little old me, Ryan Garner and you’ve got these legends and they become friends.”
Garner missed the midweek 2-2 draw with Bristol City because he has moved his training to the evenings.
The point was a blow to the chances of following Coventry up in an automatic promotion place.
But Garner has yo-yoed enough with the club in recent years to rank their first FA Cup win in HALF A CENTURY as the priority.
“I’d say FA Cup,” when we push him for a pick. “We won it 50 years ago, so to do it again now would be perfect.
“Everyone wants to be in the Premier League, but we win more games in the Championship, it’s more exciting for the fans.
“You go into the Premier League as minnows – up against the big lads like City and Arsenal every week – It’s hard to get results all the time and everyone gets a bit down in the dumps, when they’re not winning.
“So I’d rather win the FA Cup and stay in the Championship, for now.”
Garner laughs at how far he has come from the cheeky schoolboy who tried to bunk into games, to an unofficial ambassador now welcomed into the posh suites.
He beamed at our prawn-sandwich jibe: “I love it, mate! The club really looks after me. I am normally up there in the posh seats and lounges now.
“The club has been great and once I win here for the fans, long may it continue.”
Garner admits he no longer sits in the cheap seats Credit: @piranhagarner98
