Every young fighter strives to become the figurehead of their hometown, though not all of them are equipped to handle the level of attention and pressure that kind of status generates.

A few years ago, Southampton's Ryan Garner (17-0, 8 KOs) may have struggled to cope with the spotlight but times have changed. The European junior lightweight champion is at the stage of his life where he's confident, mature and skilled enough to carry the hopes of a city.

This weekend, Garner fights British and Commonwealth champion Reece Bellotti (20-5, 15 KOs) in a major triple title showdown, the winner of which will put themselves in line for a world title fight. Promoted by Queensberry, DAZN will stream the event globally.

Garner hasn't been cast into the role overnight. He has been touted as a future star since making his professional debut more than nine years ago but, for a time, it looked like he would lose his way.

Lots of people around the South Coast city will have their own stories to tell about the amiable 27-year-old and thousands will show their support by making the 30-mile trip to Bournemouth this weekend.

"I love the support. I was just in a shop then. The woman was in front of me at the till kept looking at me. I’m thinking, 'What is she looking at?' and she goes, 'Are you Ryan the boxer?' Garner told The Ring.

"I've got a lot of people stopping me now and it's a good feeling having people show interest and appreciating what you're doing.

"It's not being given to me but I'm lucky in the same sense. I've had a lot of support from the football club and from the people of Southampton. Everything's falling into place perfect. I'm meant to go and win this fight, meant to fight for a world title and fight at St. Mary's [the home of Southampton Football Club].

"Everything happens for a reason, I'm meant to win this fight and to go on to bigger things. I just believe that everything's for a reason and that's why I'm so confident I'm going to win. I know it's meant to be."

Although he is confident of beating Bellotti, Garner knows that this weekend's fight won't be easy.

Bellotti is enjoying a prolonged Indian summer to his career. The 34-year-old has accounted for a lengthy list of younger challengers since stepping up to the junior lightweight division three years ago.

Both fighters spoke respectfull at the fight launch press conference but as their encounter has drawn nearer, Garner's confidence has begun to grow.

Over the past 12 months, he has started to fulfil his undoubted potential.

His run began last June when outlasting former British champion Liam Dillon in a hard 10-round affair. He followed that up by seizing Archie Sharp's unbeaten record before claiming the vacant European title, outpointing the tough Salvador Jimenez with a relentless display of smart pressure fighting.

Importantly, his performance levels have improved with each step up.

“You know how sometimes they put the Instagram videos up where they're like, 'One week to go'? Matchroom put him [Bellotti] up and I'm looking at some of the videos and I know obviously, he's fit, strong and game but look at them videos and, technically, he shouldn't live with me," Garner said almost sheepishly.

"I look at him and I'm like, 'I'm better than what he is.' Don't get me wrong, it's a tough fight, but I just can't see me losing.

"At this moment with the momentum I've got and people I've beaten, the little run I'm on and the way I'm feeling, I'm so, so confident. The last three fights, I've gone the distance, got the rounds in and it's only made me better.

"I think with all the sparring I've been doing, all these different styles, it's just all coming together at the right time."

Garner has spent years listening to people telling him how talented he is and that he was at risk of letting his ability go to waste but has settled down and is now a proud father.

Should he beat Bellotti and leave the ring as the British, Commonwealth and European champion on Saturday night he will move a step closer to achieving what he believes many have long felt he was capable of.

"I'm there, nearly, and I'm still young. I’m 27 years old. You look at all these world champions at the moment and they're all in their 30's," he continued.

"I've had one tough fight — with Dillon — that's a fight that realistically, I made tougher than I should have. I could have made that a lot, lot easier. If I had the head on my shoulders that I do now with more experience behind me, I would have cruised through that.

"I always knew it was there but it was actually getting the opportunities and showing it against some of these fighters. I've done it in sparring against all these world-level fighters. I know how good I am but I'm getting the chance to actually show it on the big stage now."