Garner to face Bellotti in Bournemouth this summer

European super-featherweight champion Ryan Garner will face British and Commonwealth title holder Reece Bellotti in Bournemouth on 26 July.

The contest, dubbed 'pier pressure', will take place at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) this summer, with both fighters in a rich vein of form.

Garner, 27, won the vacant European title in front of a packed crowd at the BIC in March.

He outclassed Spain's Salvador Jimenez on points to put himself into the mix for some big fights in the 130lb division.

Despite having five losses to his name, Bellotti, 34, has won his last six fights, his most recent an impressive victory over Michael Gomez Jr.

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

"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.

"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.

"July 26 is most definitely a date to circle in your diaries and it is a fight not to be missed."

Also from Southampton, light-heavyweight Lewis Edmondson, 29, has been ordered to complete a first mandatory defence of his British and Commonwealth titles against the red-hot Ezra Taylor, with the bout to take place by the end of October, external.

The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) have said the contest must happen next and asked for proceedings to begin to organise the fight.

Edmondson defended his Commonwealth title in March when he outpointed the previously unbeaten Oluwatosin Kejawa in Bournemouth.

He won his titles in late 2024 when he beat Dan Azeez in London but now the BBBC have ordered him to defend them against an opponent who has won all 12 of his fights, including eight knockouts, since his professional debut in 2020.

Both men have clashed at their last two respective bouts, willing each other to come through scheduled fights to set up what promises to be a fiery affair.