Tony Bellew has named his “biggest underachiever in British boxing”, despite him becoming a decorated amateur and challenging for world honours in the professional ranks.
Conversely, Bellew would perhaps consider himself an overachiever, or at least someone who was fiercely committed to becoming a world champion.
He did so in 2016, claiming the WBC cruiserweight title with a third-round finish over Illunga Makabu, despite suffering a sixth-round stoppage defeat to Adonis Stevenson in his previous attempt at 175lbs.
The Liverpudlian therefore exited the sport after having achieved his ultimate goal, whereas his old GB teammate, Frankie Gavin, could not quite say the same for himself.
During his illustrious amateur career, Gavin became Britain’s first world champion while also claiming gold in the Commonwealth Games and European Championships.
The Birmingham man was then tipped to become an Olympic champion at Athens 2008, only to miss weight and rule himself out of competition.
Even as a professional, Gavin seemed to lack discipline and, following a sixth-round stoppage defeat to then-IBF champion Kell Brook in 2015, there would be no further opportunities for the talented welterweight to fulfil his full potential.
Speaking with Fight Your Corner, Bellew said that, even now, Gavin is the first who springs to mind when discussing underachievers.
“I always think of Frankie. When we were all starting – wow, he had such a start. He looked amazing, but the pro game is just a different beast.
“He’s the biggest underachiever in British boxing.”
Gavin became a British champion and defeated a selection of domestic rivals but, considering his amateur success, this should never have been the pinnacle of his pro career.
