Ryan Garner Faces Jazza Dickens in First WBC Interim Title Defence at Bournemouth
Ryan Garner will put his WBC interim super featherweight title on the line against former WBA world champion Jazza Dickens when the pair meet at the Bournemouth International Centre on January 9, 2027.
The fight gives Garner a demanding first defence after the biggest victory of his career against Michael Magnesi at Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium in June. It also brings an experienced former world champion into the picture at a point when Garner is looking to turn interim status into a genuine opportunity for the full world title.
The contest will be shown live on DAZN as part of Queensberry’s opening schedule for 2027. Welcome to Bournemouth International Centre+1
Garner’s rise has been built on results
Garner arrives at this fight unbeaten at 20-0, having steadily collected titles on the domestic and European circuit before moving into world-level contention.
His victory over Salvador Jimenez at the BIC in March 2025 brought him the European title. Four months later, he stopped Reece Bellotti in the 12th round to add the British and Commonwealth championships.
Garner then continued his progress with a third-round stoppage of Cristian Bielma in March 2026, before taking on Magnesi for the WBC interim belt. That June victory was particularly significant: Garner won a unanimous decision over 12 rounds at St Mary’s Stadium, achieving his ambition of headlining at Southampton’s home ground. The Ring Record+2
Dickens brings experience, but is coming off a world title defeat
Dickens is a very different type of opponent. The Liverpool fighter has spent years competing at championship level and has already challenged for world titles at featherweight and super bantamweight.
His career took a major turn in July 2025 when he stopped previously unbeaten Albert Batyrgaziev in the fourth round in Istanbul to win the WBA interim super featherweight title. He was subsequently upgraded to full champion after Lamont Roach was stripped of the belt.
However, Dickens no longer holds that championship. Anthony Cacace beat him by unanimous decision in March 2026 to take the WBA super featherweight title. That result is important context for the Garner fight: Dickens is a former world champion with valuable experience, but he is also looking to rebuild his position after losing his belt. World Boxing Association+2
The wider picture at 130lbs
There is a bigger championship picture behind this fight. O’Shaquie Foster remains the WBC world champion, and his victory over Emanuel Navarrete on October 25 also brought him the WBO and IBF titles. Foster now sits at the centre of a newly unified championship picture at super featherweight. World Boxing Council+1
For Garner, the interim title provides a route towards that level, but Dickens represents a significant test before any full world title opportunity can be considered. A win would strengthen Garner’s case and keep his unbeaten record intact. A defeat, on the other hand, would interrupt the momentum he has built over the past 2 years.
A meaningful test for both men
Queensberry promoter Frank Warren has described Dickens as Garner’s toughest test to date. That assessment is understandable. Garner is the younger, unbeaten champion, but Dickens has been through difficult championship fights and knows what is required at this level.
The Bournemouth setting should also suit Garner. He has already enjoyed two successful title nights at the BIC, and the venue has become an important part of his rise. Warren has also spoken about the possibility of returning to St Mary’s for a bigger event in 2027, but Garner first has to get past Dickens.
This is more than a homecoming defence. It is an opportunity for Garner to show that his interim title is a stepping stone towards the full world championship, while Dickens has the chance to put himself back into the world title conversation.
Ryan Garner vs Jazza
