Ryan Garner and Reece Bellotti came face-to-face at the Launch Press Conference for 'Pier Pressure' ahead of their clash for the EBU European, British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight Championships in Bournemouth on Saturday, 26 July.
A multitude of super featherweight belts will be up for grabs in Bournemouth on 26 July 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, live on DAZN.
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.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”