Frankie Gavin: ‘Bradley Skeete was too negative’

FRANKIE GAVIN, the British and Commonwealth welterweight champion, expects to fight in February to defend one of his titles.

Heโ€™s 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. โ€œIt shows where I was on the verge of getting to. Theyโ€™re 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 werenโ€™t meant to be but it shows where Iโ€™m capable of getting to and thatโ€™s the aim,โ€ Frankie said.

Gavin has learned from that experience. โ€œI donโ€™t have to question myself whether I can dig deep, whether I can take a shot,โ€ he said. โ€œAt 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. โ€œHe was very negtative,โ€ Frankie noted. โ€œWhen I stepped it up a bit I think he got a bit nervous, of the occasion, I think he got a bit nervous.

โ€œI 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 wasnโ€™t.

โ€œA couple of times I stepped back just to see if heโ€™d come forward and he wouldnโ€™t. He should have really come forward and he wouldnโ€™t. It was two counter-punchers in the ring as well. Because of his reach and length I had to do the work really.โ€

โ€œI want a few fighters who come forward a bit, who come to fight. Skeete werenโ€™t made for me,โ€ Gavin added. โ€œDavid Barnes was another negative fighter, Bradley Pryce was another awkward fighter who you donโ€™t really need and that unknown African [Sacky] Shikukutu โ€“ you donโ€™t see all the other fighters at my level getting fights like that.

โ€œThey donโ€™t suit my style.โ€

For a full ringside report from the big Las Vegas bill, download this weekโ€™s Boxing News on Tuesday.

 

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