Ryan Garner is targeting a world title fight after stopping Reece Bellotti in the 12th and final round of their Bournemouth main event attraction on Saturday night.

The win saw Garner (18-0, 9 KOs) add Bellotti’s British and Commonwealth junior lightweight titles to his own European belt and sets him firmly on the path towards a major night at St Mary’s Stadium, the home of Southampton Football Club.

Garner’s potential has never been in question, but for a long time his dedication to the sport was.

After bursting on to the scene as a teenager, Garner spent his early 20s enjoying life outside the ring and for a time it looked like the sport may lose a rare talent.

The 27-year-old is now happily settled in his private life and being a proud father has focused his mind. Over the past 14 months, he has really hit form. He started by outpointing former British divisional champion Liam Dillon in a 10-round war, before taking world-ranked Archie Sharp's unbeaten record two-and-a-half months later.

He was given the opportunity to headline a show for the first time on March 1 and dominated Spain's Salvador Jimenez to win the European title.

Bellotti was by far the most accomplished, well-rounded fighter Garner has taken on but the younger man found his timing and rhythm as the rounds passed before the accurate, clever assault that ended matters punctuated an impressive display.

With every step up, Garner has increased his own level of performance and there is a real feeling that there is still much, much more to come.

"The Piranha" has set his heart on fighting for a world title at St Mary’s Stadium and believes beating Bellotti in such conclusive fashion proves his readiness for such a stage.

"With each fight, I'm trying to make a statement," a delighted Garner told DAZN in the ring after the fight. "I believe in my last fight, I won every round on all the judges cards and I believe I was winning every one there.

"It's the icing on the cake to get the stoppage in the 12th round. I'm a 12-round fighter.

"Reece Bellotti is well seasoned and I won that pretty comfortably, I'd like to say. He's a very, very tough fighter. So, that just goes to show I'm above this level. I'm ready for a world title and the man that will deliver is [his promoter] Frank Warren at St. Mary's."

Garner’s success was also a triumph for his understated trainer, Wayne Batten.

Batten has been at Garner’s shoulder throughout his journey.

He was taken by a teenage Garner’s raw talent and happy-go-lucky nature, patiently waiting for him to mature and realise he was allowing a gift to go to waste. Eventually, Garner grew up and buckled down and the boxing world is beginning to see just what he is capable of.

"When he was a 13-year-old kid he used to come over and do a bit of training with me," Batten said. "He was a stand out amateur. When he turned over at 18, he was young and I said to him, 'You have to be very mature.'

"He learned his lessons and it's all about timing. He's matured up now and he's definitely doing it now."

In 2022, Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora braved a cold December night and boxed outdoors at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but the cold, damp British winters don’t lend themselves to outdoor shows and Garner will have to wait until next summer before his dream of fighting at St Mary’s becomes realistic.

The intervening 12 months could be a real blessing for Garner who can now defend his belts, earn some money and spend some time in the gym knocking off any remaining rough edges before stepping up to world level.

Throughout the rollercoaster early stages of his career, Garner always maintained that with time and momentum, everything would eventually work out. He has been proven right and is now determined to continue moving forward.

"I want the biggest fights for the biggest money to provide for my family. I've just had two good fights back to back,' he said.

"I want a break now. I'm going on holiday and when we come back, we're going to sit down with Frank Warren, Wayne, my manager, and the whole team. Frank's the man who's going to deliver me big, big fights so I'll leave it in their hands.

"We'll have a meeting, and we'll go from there."