Garner: 'Playtime is over!'

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Always causing ripples with his entertaining sound bites, Port St. Lucie, Florida native and American Top Team fighter, Kenny ‘Deuce’ Garner has an ‘in your face’ personality that has critics split between whether he’s the ‘real deal’ or just flash in the pan; with three convincing wins under the M-1 banner and one loss from his heavyweight title fight, Deuce is headed back to Russia to face Alexander Volkov on March 5th at M-1 Challenge XXIII.

Winning the 2010 M-1 Selections Americas heavyweight tournament, Garner was the first US fighter to be given the opportunity to fight for the M-1 Challenge championship belt in the marquee bout at M-1 Challenge XXI against Guram Gugenishvili this past October in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In an eventful first round, Garner came out of the corner looking to press the action and stuffed Guram’s early takedown attempts. After being re-started after the pair broke through the ropes, Deuce had to fight from his back and worked an effective offensive. Eventually securing top position, he controlled the rest of the frame and earned a definitive 10-9 round. Speaking with Garner, the self-marketing machine was apt to point out his performance. “I’ve watched the fight and I pretty much controlled the first round. Technically, I know and Guram knows that he can’t handle me but he did his job. I got over anxious and messed up.”

Garner’s fatal error came early in the second round as Guram dodged a looping right hand and caught the American in a head-and-arm choke which was transitioned into a standing guillotine; shortly after Garner was unconscious and the referee stepped in to halt the bout. “I threw the right hand because I felt he wasn’t strong enough to defend it when I should have stuck with my plan and set up the right with two jabs. But I messed up and got caught but I gave my belt away when I messed up. Now I’m headed back to Russia to start my way back to the belt and if you don’t believe me...watch!” said Garner.

Still near the top of the heavyweight contenders list, Garner’s second run at the M-1 Challenge heavyweight championship starts with the bout against Volkov, an opponent that Deuce is ready for but doesn’t view as a threat. “I’ve seen his videos. He has a nice stiff jab. But when he gets hit, he curls up like a baby. When I hit him, he won’t have time to curl up – the fight will be over.”

Volkov stands 6’7” and possesses a significant reach advantage which also doesn’t faze Garner. “Everyone talked about ‘reach advantage’ when I fought Andrei Kapilou who is even taller than Volkov. How’d that fight go? Oh yeah, I used head movement and kept pressing forward and beat his brains out. Volkov’s reach won’t be factor in this fight either. He’s just another body in front of me. M-1 sets ‘em up and I knock ‘em down.”

Although used to Garner’s pre-fight antics, Garner’s typical humorous self seemed to have been replaced with hostile aggression during our interview. “Losing my belt has made me develop a real chip on my shoulder. When I first started fighting, I did this for fun now it’s a profession. I’m not the same fighter I used to be. Now I’m a killer. Playtime is DONE! I’m doing everything I can to get my belt back.”

With harsh words for Volkov, Deuce is preparing harder than he ever has and took the time between tirades to give thanks for his opportunity. “M-1 is still #1 for giving me the chance to get back in the ring and chase down my belt. I’m going to give them the best show every time they bring me out.”

Fans can catch Deuce in action at the Crocus City arena in Moscow, Russia on Saturday, March 5th by tuning in to the official live stream on M-1 Global website, www.M-1Global.com at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST.

Visit www.M-1Global.com for more information.