Boxing promoter Frank Warren reveals plans to bring 'big event' to the south coast this year
Published 29/07/2024 at 12:38 GMT+1
Frank Warren has outlined his intention to organise an event on the south coast amid the impressive form of Ryan Garner and Royston Barney-Smith. Both fighters remain unbeaten in their careers to date and demand for an event to be held in Southampton, where Garner has cultivated a growing fanbase, is high. TNT Sports will bring you a host of thrilling drama from the boxing world in 2024 and beyond
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Boxing promoter Frank Warren has revealed his intention to “bring a big event” to the south coast.
Featherweights Ryan Garner and Royston Barney-Smith, both from Southampton, remain unbeaten after they won their respective fights in London on Saturday.
Portsmouth-based lightweight Mark Chamberlain has also impressed, while WBO cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith sold out the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth last year.
"I've been talking to Garner about what's next," Warren told BBC Sport.
"What we will do now is bring a big event to the south coast - we've got some big stars down there, so we'll do a show there hopefully before the end of the year.
"I'd want to do it for boxing because the more shows we can put on across the country the better it is for the sport - there's obviously a big audience down there."
Given the success of previous fights at football stadiums, Southampton’s St Mary’s has been touted as a potential venue.
The stadium has a capacity of 32,384 people, though, significantly more than the Vitality Stadium.
"If we can do it at St Mary's, then it is a no-brainer for me," Warren added. "It's all about the venue and the size of the venue, so we will have to investigate it, but let's see."
On Chamberlain, who is due to fight at Wembley in September having had back-to-back bouts in Saudi Arabia, Warren said: "I'm delighted for Mark and his career so far.
"I'm sure he will take every advantage of the opportunity and platform in September. Let's try and get all three of these guys together and on a show down in the south because that would be fabulous."
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Garner, a lifelong Southampton fan, beat the previously undefeated Archie Sharp to defend his WBC International title and take his record to 16-0 last weekend.
His last fight in his hometown was at the modest Guildhall, which has a capacity of 1,749, but the 26-year-old has insisted there is enough interest to pack out a larger venue.
"We'll have to have a word with Frank, I think, because the turnouts are getting better each time," he told BBC Sport.
"It felt like the Southampton fans took over the O2 - I need a homecoming now, let's get something on."
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