Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez Predictions: The ‘Piranha’ looks to take the European belt

Ryan Garner takes on Salvador Jimenez for the vacant European super featherweight championship this Saturday, March 1. The 12-rounder, in which Garner’s WBC international title will also be contested, takes place at the Bournemouth International Centre. DAZN will screen the fight live as part of a card that also features the ring return of Joe Joyce ahead of his outing next month against Dillian Whyte. 

Here are my Garner vs Jimenez predictions ahead of this double-title contest.

Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez Odds

Garner is out in front at 1/5. Jimenez is your 7/2 underdog while the draw is priced up at 16/1.

Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez Fight Preview

Garner takes on a man who knows this particular title well. Jimenez challenged Janfe Gomez for this honour in November 2023. The majority draw is the only blemish on his unbeaten 14-0-1 record. Now the man from Valladolid looks to go one better with the vacant strap on the line.

Garner is a fighter causing a lot of excitement in his native Southampton. The talk is of a stadium superfight at St Marys one day. One would assume the world title would need to be on the line for that one, with the IBF and WBC both placing Garner 15th in their ratings. A European title win here should propel him closer to his dream.

Britain has produced a wealth of quality super featherweights recently. Anthony Cacace was IBF champion until recently, when he vacated the title to accept a fight with another top 130-pounder in Leigh Wood. Josh Warrington is a two-time featherweight now competing at super featherweight. 

Jazza Dickens just reintroduced himself with a superb display to beat a fellow former world title challenger in Zelfa Barrett. Danny Quartermaine is a star on the rise while Joe Cordina would love to become a world champion once again.

Garner is right in the mix. He defeated another world-ranked super feather in his last bout. Garner shared a close fight with the upwardly-mobile Archie Sharp (who fights on this card), beating the then-unbeaten Sidcup man on points. 

It felt like a seminal moment for Garner. After a steady rise, a victory over the more-experienced ‘Sharpshooter’ was a breakout moment for the 27-year-old. Now Garner looks to build on that momentum and capture the most prestigious title of his career so far.

This looks like being a long night. Garner has eight knockouts from his 16 wins while Jimenez can boast just six from his 14 victories. This is a nailed-on distance fight to me. The fans in Bournemouth should definitely get their money’s worth. 

While Garner fights for a major title for the first time, this bout also represents a maiden voyage in the career of Jimenez. The Spaniard will box outside of his home country for the first time as a professional. The fact the bout is down the road from his opponent’s birthplace will likely make for a wild and potentially-hostile atmosphere for the visitor. 

Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez Full Card

Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez

Lewis Edmonson vs Oluwatosin Kejawa

Mace Ruegg vs Liam Dillon

Joe Joyce vs Patrick Korte

Henry Turner vs Miguel Cesario Antin

Joseph Butler vs TBA

Karol Itauma vs Michal Ludwiczak

Charles Frankham vs Jahfieus Faure

Luke McCormack vs Ramiro Garcia Lopez

John Isaacs vs Ezequiel Gregores

Ryan Garner vs Salvador Jimenez Prediction

I think this opportunity at continental honours has arrived at just the right time for Garner. It is a step-up that the Sharp fight proved he is ready to make. For the second instance while challenging for a European title, Jimenez has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I’m picking Garner to do the job on Saturday night, winning by decision at 11/4.

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