FRANKIE GAVIN, the British and Commonwealth welterweight champion, expects to fight in February to defend one of his titles.
Heโs in the gym training for what he hopes will be a big 2015. After losing a split decision to Leonard Bundu last August, he wants to work his way up the world rankings. Bundu went on to fight Keith Thurman last weekend in Las Vegas. โIt shows where I was on the verge of getting to. Theyโre not much better than me. The fight could have gone either way, some thought I nicked it, others thought he nicked it. At the end of the day it werenโt meant to be but it shows where Iโm capable of getting to and thatโs the aim,โ Frankie said.
Gavin has learned from that experience. โI donโt have to question myself whether I can dig deep, whether I can take a shot,โ he said. โAt least I proved myself, if it does come to it, I can dig deep and have a go.โ
The Birmingham talent has fought frequently this year, most recently outscoring Bradley Skeete on the big show at the ExCel at the end of November. โHe was very negtative,โ Frankie noted. โWhen I stepped it up a bit I think he got a bit nervous, of the occasion, I think he got a bit nervous.
โI know he did better than people thought [he would] and some people thought it was close but even his corner were shouting that he needed a knockout after eight rounds. They were telling him to come forward and throw and he wasnโt.
โA couple of times I stepped back just to see if heโd come forward and he wouldnโt. He should have really come forward and he wouldnโt. It was two counter-punchers in the ring as well. Because of his reach and length I had to do the work really.โ
โI want a few fighters who come forward a bit, who come to fight. Skeete werenโt made for me,โ Gavin added. โDavid Barnes was another negative fighter, Bradley Pryce was another awkward fighter who you donโt really need and that unknown African [Sacky] Shikukutu โ you donโt see all the other fighters at my level getting fights like that.
โThey donโt suit my style.โ