LEGENDARY boxing promoter Frank Warren believes Ryan Garner's upcoming fight with Reece Bellotti could bring him to world title contention.

The European champion and 17-0 Piranha is set to take on British and Commonwealth super featherweight champion 20-5 Bellotti on Saturday, July 26.

Bournemouth International Centre will again host Garner, who overwhelmed the previously unbeaten Spaniard Salvador Jimenez in March.

Though Bellotti, from Watford, has lost five fights, he is on a six-bout winning streak and boasts an impressive 15 knockouts from his 20 victories. 

With three belts on the line, Queensberry Promotion's Warren believes this fight is the perfect next step for Southampton's Garner to take. 

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

Promoter Frank Warren has sorted Ryan Garner's next fightPromoter Frank Warren has sorted Ryan Garner's next fight (Image: PA)

“I was delighted with how our first promotion in Bournemouth turned out in March, with a sell-out 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. It is most definitely a fight not to be missed.

“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."

The full card is yet to be confirmed but could feature Eastleigh's Taylor Bevan and Southampton's Royston Barney-Smith in undercard fights. 

The event, 'Pier Pressure', is promoted by Queensberry in association with Matchroom and will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide.

Garner, 27, enjoyed a successful and packed-out maiden appearance at the BIC in March and now has chance to add the treasured Lonsdale belt to his collection.

Garner 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 Liam 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.