Ryan Garner admits it may be 'too soon' for St Mary's card

Garner, a die-hard Saints supporter, played down the changes of headline a show in his home city this year and pointed out the need for an indoor arena in Southampton.

Garner beat Spaniard Salvador Jimenez by unanimous decision in Bournemouth on Saturday to claim the vacant EBU European super-featherweight title.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren has also suggested that the BIC is home for Garner now and pointed out the 27 year old still has stuff to learn at that level.

Garner sold over 1,500 tickets for the event himself but believes he could do 10 times those numbers on his doorstep.

Warren is confident he can deliver a world title fight before the end of the year but Garner is open to anything.

"I could always come back here (the BIC) again because, unfortunately, there's not much in Southampton," he explained.

Ryan Garner walks out at the BIC. (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions) READ MORE: Lewie Edmondson defends Commonwealth light-heavyweight title

"There's no indoor venues. It might be a bit too soon to fight at St Mary's this year. It would be one of the big shows and that takes a lot of planning.

"It might be booked up but who knows? It could be St Mary's. It could be here again, defending my European title. I don't call out anyone. I'm here to change my family's life.

"I could fight Reece Bellotti for the British, Commonwealth and European titles. The biggest fights bring the biggest money and that's what I'm here for."

The Saints fans, who made the short trip through the New Forest to support one of their own, showed strong support for Garner inside the Bournemouth International Centre.

Several fights on the undercard were hijacked by chants ranging from "Red Army" to "Oh when the Saints go marching in" as anticipation for Garner's headline bout grew.

Ryan Garner celebrates his victory in the ring with Saints boss Ivan Juric. (Image: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry Promotions) READ MORE: Garner beats Jimenez by unanimous decision to claim European crown

Southampton manager Ivan Juric was in attendance, and celebrated with Garner following his victory, as were Simon Rusk and James Beattie.

"I thought he (Juric) was going to offer me out for a second," Garner quipped in his dressing room.

"All of Southampton, the whole city's getting behind me. People are showing up even though it's 30, 40 miles down the road.

"You would have thought I'm from here. I could have sold 10 times the tickets if it was in my backyard at St. Mary's because it's on my doorstep.

"People are getting right behind me and I can't thank them enough. I saw videos today of people with their barbers getting ready to come to my fight.

"The support from the club has been mental. We had the manager here, Simon Rusk and legends like James Beattie. This is what dreams are made of."