Garner vs Magnesi Predictions: ‘The Piranha’ returns to the south coast

Ryan ‘The Piranha’ Garner aims to take one step closer to the top of the mountain when he faces Michael Magnesi for the WBC interim super featherweight crown. The bout tops the bill at St Mary's Stadium, home of Southampton FC. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN.

Read on for my Garner vs Magnesi predictions ahead of this high-class battle of the 130-pounders.

Garner vs Magnesi Odds

Garner is on the market at 1/6 to triumph in front of his home fans in Southampton. The visitor Magnesi is priced at 9/2 while the draw is 20/1.

Garner vs Magnesi Fight Preview

Garner completed his domestic and continental duties last July, annexing the British and Commonwealth 130lbs titles from a resurgent Reece Belotti. Adding those straps to the European crown he’d won against unbeaten Spaniard Salvador Jimenez felt like a watershed moment. Having unified a trio of major titles, as well as snapping the undefeated streak of the gifted Archie Sharp and overcoming the dog-tough Liam Dillon, Garner looked ready for the world stage.

That is where Ryan finds himself on Saturday night, even if he hasn’t had to leave his hometown to try and conquer the globe. The WBC interim title may not be the full shebang. The true WBC designation currently belongs to O’Shaquie Foster. But this bauble is essentially a framed-and-mounted right to challenge the American at some point in the future. 

More importantly, it is a chance for ‘The Piranha’ to make a statement. Magnesi is a proper opponent. A former champion of the secondary IBO, he has held his own against some of the best around. 

Italy’s ‘Lone Wolf’ has lost just twice in 28 professional outings. Once by split decision to Anthony Cacace, in a result that has aged very well. The Northern Irishman would go on to scoop the IBF and WBA titles, beating reigning or former champions like Joe Cordina, Josh Warrington, Leigh Wood and Jazza Dickens along the way. 

The other defeat arrived via 12th-round TKO while leading on all three cards against Japan’s Masanori Rikiishi for the vacant WBC super featherweight crown. Magnesi is yet to grab the brass ring, but he has shown signs of having what it takes to compete at that level.

That is what Garner needs at this stage. The impressive 28-year-old has proven his mettle up to continental level. ‘The Piranha’ has the swelling trophy case to prove it. But now he looks to add an ersatz version of the world title to his ledger. Next stop: the real thing.

Garner vs Magnesi Full Card

Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi

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Iman Zahmatkesh vs Franklin Arinze

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William Birchall vs TBA 

Leighton Birchall vs TBA

Charlie Senior vs TBA

Adam Olaniyan vs TBA

Garner vs Magnesi Prediction

Garner is a fan-friendly fighter who comes with two modes: seek and destroy. An intelligent pressure fighter who is every bit as relentlessly vicious as his aquatic namesake, this ‘Piranha’ looks to nibble away until his opponents are there for the taking.

The Southampton lad gets the job done through volume rather than one-shot pop, with a moderate 10 knockouts on his 19-0 record. Magnesi is likely to try and walk through those shots, loving a tear-up himself. Against Rikiishi it cost him the world title, but the Italian fireball knows no other way.

Expect an explosive night under the St Mary’s lights here. Neither man likes to take a back step. Both look to fight their way out of trouble. I feel like plenty of that will find each man during a torrid, thrilling 12 rounds. But at the end of the encounter, I see Sharp having done enough to get his hand raised. I’ll take Garner on points at 10/11.

Boxing Odds