Boxing News Hall of Fame writer Graham Houston digs into this weekend's WBC 'interim' super-featherweight world title fight between Ryan Garner and Michael Magnesi and provides his best bets and tips.
Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi Tips Preview
For Ryan Garner, Saturday’s fight against Michael Magnesi is almost a dream come true. The vacant WBC 'interim' super-featherweight title is on the line and Garner is on home ground at St Mary’s Stadium, home of Championship football club Southampton.
And he’s in a highly winnable match-up.
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, though.
A world-class junior amateur, Garner turned professional at 18 and big things were predicted.
But Garner’s career stalled. There were lifestyle issues and spells of inactivity. He missed weight for fights. Those close to him feared Garner was wasting his talent.
However, Garner has put those dark days behind him. He rededicated himself to his boxing career and he’s on an impressive winning run.
Garner soundly outpointed the always-tough Liam Dillon, swarmed all over the stylish Archie Shape and outclassed Spain’s rugged Salvador Jimenez to become European champion.
And Garner levelled-up again when he wore down and eventually stopped the seasoned Reece Bellotti in a fight for the European, British and Commonwealth titles.
At 28, Garner now seems to be realising his considerable potential.
He’s fast and skilled, with an offensive-minded style and high punch-output. Garner is good at attacking from angles. When he’s in full flow he is difficult to keep contained. “Bomber” Bellotti landed some solid shots but was simply overwhelmed.
Italy’s Magnesi, meanwhile, on paper represents Garner’s stiffest test.
Magnesi is a rugged pressure fighter. His only two losses (in 28 fights) were at a high level. Belfast’s Anthony Cacace beat him on a split decision in Manchester while two years ago the tall Japanese southpaw Masanori Rikiishi, trailing on the scorecards, halted Magnesi in the 12th and final round in Italy.
The loss to Rikiishi was the sort of defeat can shorten a fighter’s career. Magnesi piled up points with workrate but Rikiishi was timing him and hurting him in the later rounds.
Magnesi was dropped twice in the last round. He was so wobbly that he even went down without being hit. Referee Hector Afu finally waved the finish with just 26 seconds remaining.
Although Magnesi has come back with a couple of wins one wonders if, at 31 and with his attrition-based style, we've seen the best of him.
Magnesi had to dig deep to win a close but unanimous decision over France’s Khalil El Hadri in March of last year and that was on home turf in Italy.
Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi Tale of the Tape
Ryan Garner | Michael Magnesi | |
Record: | 19-0 (10 KOs) | 26-2 (13 KOs) |
Age: | 28 | 31 |
Birthplace: | Southampton, England | Palestrina, Lazio, Italy |
Height: | 5′ 6″ / 168cm | 5'6″ / 168cm |
Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
Last Fight: | Won (TKO) vs Cristian Bielma (Mar 26) | Won (PTS) vs Marcos Martinez (Feb 26) |
KO%: | 52.63% | 50% |
Alias: | 'The Piranha' | 'Lone Wolf' |
Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi Top Tips
- Bet Builder - 'Ryan Garner - To Win Fight' & 'Over 10.5 Rounds' @ 5/8
- Neither Fighter to Score a Knockdown @ 5/8
It could be that Magnesi has peaked. Garner, meanwhile, still seems to be levelling up.
Magnesi is very tough and game. But he fights only one way: Forward march behind a high guard. He tends to fight in bursts.
Garner seems to be more versatile, with more dimensions. He appears to be the more consistent of the two fighters. Garner doesn’t simply move straight ahead. He has the ability to move around his opponents and attack from different directions.
I believe Garner’s consistency, speed, energy and variety will be the key elements in this match-up.
The Southampton crowd will be right behind Garner. He can feed off the crowd’s energy.
Money has shown for Garner, pushing his opening price from about 1/4 to the current 1/6 number.
I’m not wild about laying six to win one. However, a Bet Builder of Garner to win paired with over 10.5 rounds works out at 5/8. That might be the play.
Garner can wear opponents down but he isn’t a KO puncher. The fight looks likely to go past 10½ rounds.
As a subsidiary play, either fighter to score a knockdown - No @ 5/8 has my interest. Magnesi isn’t a big puncher, and Garner has always shown a good chin. And Magnesi is durable and gutsy. It’s not easy to knock him off his feet.
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
