Ryan Garner vs Reece Bellotti Presser!

By Queensberry Promotions

(May 28th) We're back at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton for the Official Launch Press Conference of Ryan Garner vs Reece Bellotti for the British, Commonwealth and EBU European Super-Featherweight Champion. Also hear from hometown favourite Royston Barney-Smith who prepares to fight the undefeated IBF & WBO European champion Danny Quartermaine.

A multitude of super featherweight belts will be up for grabs in Bournemouth on July 26 when the BIC plays host to a cracking 130lbs double header, with Ryan Garner going up against Reece Bellotti and Royston Barney-Smith taking on Danny Quartermaine.

All four super featherweights were present at the home of Southampton FC this afternoon for the opening media activity and below are a selection of key quotes from the event.

Ryan Garner

“Obviously every British boxer wants to win the British title and he has got the Commonwealth as well, while I’ve got the European. I want to make history, I don’t believe anyone from Southampton has ever won the British, Commonwealth and European titles at the same time. I am under no illusions, this is the biggest fight of my career, amateur or pro, and I know Reece is a very, very good fighter.

“He has got all my respect and, yeah, there will be fireworks on fight night. Be sure not to miss it.

“His record as a puncher speaks for itself. He’s had nearly as many knockouts as I have had fights. So he is a big puncher and I know that, but I know that if the Ryan Garner who I know is capable turns up, I know that I can come away with the win, but it will be the hardest fight of my career.

“It is just going to be an exciting fight and I am looking forward to it and putting on a good show. I just think what I am capable of is more than enough to win, but it will be a tough fight.”

Reece Bellotti

“This moment is massive and it is definitely the biggest in my career too. Unfortunately for viewers, there is not going to be a huge amount of beef between me and Garner because we respect each other and where we are in our careers.

“I expect the hardest fight of my career, also, and I will train accordingly. I am in good form, I feel good and moving up in weight has massively helped me. I am just looking forward to the fight.

“For me Ryan is definitely up there. I know people will look at Ray Ford because he was a world champion, but there is no reason why I can’t win a world title and also Ryan. Every time I get in there I view it as the hardest by far and Ryan is up there for me.

“I don’t really use power anymore as a factor for me because I learned the hard way before doing that when I got beat. I just relied on it and thought it was the only thing I needed. There is a lot more to the game and I have learned that now. I am not just a one-trick pony now and that will pay dividends on the night.”

Royston Barney-Smith

“I have been trying to get one of these fights for a long time now and, thankfully, Danny has allowed me to fight for his two belts and they do look very nice over there. I am coming for them. He is a champion, he is going to come and defend his belts, so I will rise to the occasion and do the job.

“He is an aggressive fighter and he does a good job at it, a great job. I am looking forward to exploit him in ways I know I can and I know I will.”

Danny Quartermaine

“Royston came and approached me about the fight in a very respectful manner. With the way he did it I thought why not give him that opportunity? Boxing is about opportunities and I am more than willing to put my belts on the line and fight a good level of opponent.

“People have seen me in the past coming forward, being aggressive and putting it on my opponent. In the last couple of fights I think you have actually seen me box as well. I’ve got a jab in my repertoire and I do use it when I can. I think the mix of styles could be very interesting or, as you saw at the weekend, it could be boring. I don’t think it will be one of those fights between me and Royston, I think it will gain the crowd’s attention and there is a lot to fight for.”

Garner vs Belloti Booked For Bournemouth!

"The Piranha" will be back stalking the shores of Bournemouth on Saturday July 26 when Ryan Garner returns to the BIC to take on British and Commonwealth super featherweight champion Reece Bellotti.

The European and WBC International champion Garner, 27, enjoyed a successful and packed out maiden appearance at the Bournemouth International Centre at the beginning of March when he overwhelmed the previously unbeaten Spaniard Salvador Jimenez and now he gets the chance to add the treasured Lonsdale belt to his collection.

The fight will be a surefire shootout, with the experienced ‘Bomber’ Bellotti, 34, on a six-fight winning streak since taking on former WBA super bantamweight world champion Ray Ford in 2021.

Bellotti, 20-5 (15 KOs) from Watford, rebuilt from the foundations by securing the Southern Area title with victory over Dean Dodge before securing the Commonwealth title against the then unbeaten Aqib Fiaz via stoppage. He then won the British in early 2024 via unanimous decision against a former Garner opponent in Liam Dillon before making successful defences against Levi Giles and Michael Gomez Jr.

Southampton favourite Garner, 17-0 (8 KOs), is establishing a bumper following on the South Coast with the support of his local football team, where he is an ambassador for the Saints Foundation and makes regular pitch side appearances.

His career trajectory took an upward turn when he won his WBC belt with a third round stoppage of Juan Jesus Antunez in the summer of 2023, making a successful defence against the forthcoming European super lightweight title challenger Dillon.

The undefeated and highly ranked WBO contender Archie Sharp was outflanked by the Piranha in July of last year, which set Garner up for his European triumph a short drive from his Southampton home.”

“This is the fight to make in the super featherweight division,” said promoter Frank Warren. “A real cracker that will deliver the goods in a big way.

“I was delighted with how our first promotion in Bournemouth turned out in March, with a sellout crowd at an absolutely terrific venue at the BIC. It couldn’t have worked out any better and I am very happy to be making a return visit in July.

“For Ryan, this is the sort of fight he needs to bring him up to, ultimately, world title contention, which is where we see his journey heading. We know Reece is a quality fighter with a strong following himself and, most importantly, both men bring entertainment value for the fans.

“July 26 is most definitely a date to circle in your diaries and it is a fight not to be missed.”

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About Frank Warren

In an era spanning over 35 years, Hall of Fame boxing Promoter and Manager Frank Warren has worked with some of the biggest fighters in boxing history. Hamed, Bruno, Tyson, Calzaghe, Benn, Collins, Eubank, Khan and Hatton are some of the iconic names he has promoted during his career.

BoxNation

In 2011 Frank launched the innovative direct to consumer TV model, BoxNation as part of a vision that saw the sports TV market evolving from the traditional reliance on major satellite and cable broadcasters.

Since then BoxNation has gone from strength to strength becoming the UK’s fastest growing independent subscription broadcaster in the process and showcasing the biggest fights from at home and abroad, along the way.

Through Queensberry Promotions and BoxNation, the future of British boxing has never looked in such great shape.

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