Super-featherweight Ryan Garner is facing the “biggest test” of his career this weekend when he fights the undefeated Archie Sharp at London’s O2 Arena.
The 26-year-old boxer, nicknamed ‘The Piranha’, is also unbeaten with an impressive professional record of 15-0 – but his career path has been far from smooth.
A number of injuries have halted his progress. In 2017, Garner crashed into a parked car while driving under the influence of a recreational substance.
He was suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control, as well as being ordered to do unpaid work and given a driving ban by the courts.
“I got led down a wrong path,” Garner told BBC Sport.
“In the years since, my daughter’s been born, and I’ve got another on the way, so that’s kept me so focused and grounded.
“I was very young at the time of that incident, and now I’m a lot more mature. I do everything for my family’s future now.
“If I didn’t sort my life out, then I don’t know what I’d do, so I’m glad I have.”
The Southampton man has focused on rebuilding his career, growing a fanbase in his home city, and continuing to impress in the ring with a string of wins, including eight knockouts.
