At the top of the bill that night, Tony Bellew was held to a notorious draw by Isaac Chilemba while Derry Matthews and Anthony Crolla clashed in an M62 derby in the chief support.

But amateur boxer Garner, 15, was only there for a fight further down the undercard as his 29-year-old gym-mate Jon Fernandes, 10-0 at the time, was in town to face a local undefeated southpaw called James Dickens for the English junior featherweight crown.

Garner left the Echo disappointed that night as Dickens, affectionately known as "Jazza," won wide on points after 10 rounds while Fernandes had the long trip back down south to contemplate his first career defeat. The Southampton man would never box again.

But on January 9 at Bournemouth International Centre, The Ring No. 7 Dickens (37-6, 15 KOs), now a former world junior lightweight champion, will face No. 5-ranked Garner for his WBC interim title at 130 pounds.

It is testament to Dickens’ longevity in the sport that he remains right at the very top and that Garner (20-0, 10 KOs) is now the same age Fernandes was that night in Liverpool.

“Jazza is a great fighter and he will be in there to take my head off. I’ll have to be on my A-game to come through that,” Garner said at Friday’s launch press conference.

“I remember 12 or 13 years ago, I was only a little teenager, going up to watch Jon Fernandes fight him at the Echo Arena, that’s how long he’s been in the game. It’s crazy and I take my hat off to him. I’ve got nothing but respect for him but in my opinion I feel like I’m coming into my own and I’ve still got a lot more to give.

“It’s just the start. I believe there’s a lot more I can offer and a lot more I can give. Going into the next fight I’ve got to prove that.”

January’s showdown, which headlines a Queensberry Promotions card on DAZN, will be Dickens’ 30th outing since the night he claimed his first title against Fernandes. Now the 35-year-old, who trains under Albert Aryrapetyan in Dubai, insists his days of winning belts are far from over.

He said: “When you win a world title you get two choices don't you? You can either pack it in or you can carry on for better. That’s what the journey has been all along. You win, you have a setback, then you come back and win something a bit better. I believe I can become world champion again and undisputed is the goal ultimately for any fighter. That’s where I am now.

“I understand the agenda here. The narrative is for me to come here and build Ryan’s name. He’s got a good name in Jazza Dickens on his record and that builds him even further. But the reality of it is he’s unbeaten and defending his interim world title which is a horrible position to be in. All the pressure is on him while I just have to go in there and myself.

“I’m here to rip up the script. Frank Warren is the best in the business at getting fighters at the right time but, as good as he is, he’s f––d up here. He’s dropped the ball."