SOUTHAMPTON, England – Coach Wayne Batten lauded promoter Frank Warren for making the dream he shared with his boxer, Ryan Garner, come true.
Garner won an excellent bout against durable Italian Michael Magnesi at St Mary’s Stadium last night and claimed the WBC interim junior lightweight belt on the pitch at the home of the soccer team he’s supported his entire life, Southampton FC.
“Obviously it was a dream come true and like I say I can’t thank Frank enough,” said Batten.
“He promised me this nine years ago and he’s a man of his word. He’s delivered and it’s been a team effort, obviously. But yeah, it just feels surreal that it’s actually happened. Obviously getting here was the first port of call. Winning was the icing on the cake and I’m just overwhelmed. It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life. And I thank Frank for that, for making that happen. He [Garner] had fantastic support and obviously the fans were going mad again today, people were asking for tickets because sometimes it’s the last minute and they realise what they’re missing out on. But that was electric and I think next time it’ll be a sell-out.”
It was thought there were around 11,000 in the stadium and Batten paid tribute to their Italian opponent.
“I thought he was a bit better than what I thought he was going to be,” said Batten. “Obviously, that’s the experience for you as well. Obviously, he’s only lost to two world champions. Very experienced, obviously. Tough. They were fabulous to watch and they’re great people.”
It was a fast-paced clash and Garner won a unanimous decision. There were times, Batten admitted, when Garner seemed like he might not realize his potential due to his lifestyle away from the ring.
Both Batten and Warren backed the fighter when the easy option might have been to cut him loose.
“I can’t thank Frank enough because Frank stuck by Ryan through thick and thin,” Batten added. “And here we are. There were moments, obviously, where Ryan was making some bad life choices. He started training with me when he was about 12 years of age, he turned professional at 18. He’s become like my son, really.”
And Garner had a city to carry on his slender shoulders. His soccer team was disgraced and ejected from the Championship play-offs after being found guilty of spying on opposition teams to gain strategic advantages on the pitch.
But last night, Garner gave the fans – who sang their soccer songs all night – something positive to cheer.
“I totally agree with that,” said Batten, who wept with Garner with joy as they shared an embrace after the final bell. “There’s been an unbelievable buzz around the city the last week or so [with the fight], and obviously, hopefully it will help the club [with momentum] going into next season now.”
On his way to the stadium last night, Garner received a good luck message from one of the Southampton players.
“So, he wasn’t going to get beaten there tonight, because when you get a message like this,” said Batten, “there was no stopping him.”