AS quickly as it was rumoured, Frankie Gavin suddenly finds himself challenging Kell Brook for the IBF welterweight title.
“I asked for the shot,” Frankie told Boxing News. “No hesitation whatsoever.”
Explaining how it came about, Gavin said, “I had Chris Van Heerden [set for May 9 in Birmingham], then I had the final eliminator with Timothy Bradley, then I had the straight shot with Brook. It’s a no brainer. I don’t understand why [Amir] Khan never took it. It’s very winnable for him. I’m really shocked at how he never took it. But his loss is my gain.
“I didn’t think it would be this quick. I think looking at the rankings it’s deserved really. Got a lot of people putting it down but they’re saying I’ve got big balls to fight. I’m a fighter. It’s a world title shot, it’s not something I have to be brave to do, it’s something I’ve wanted my whole career.”
He considers Brook’s strengths to be his timing as his power. “But we’ll see on the night. I think he’s stiff up top. I think I’ll be able to catch him. I’m going to go out there, do my best and we’ll see what happens,” Gavin said. “I’m the big underdog but [there’s] no pressure, only the pressure I put on myself. I know, regardless of what anyone says, I’m a good fighter and I can trouble Kell Brook. I’ve just got to go out there and do it.
“All the pressure’s on him. He has to go and perform. My job is to stop that from happening.”
The Brummie sounds quietly confident. “I’m not thinking past that fight. I’ve got nothing to lose. If I win the fight, I’m world champion, if I lose I’m still here where I am now. I’ll be going for that European and back for a world title shot definitely,” he continued. “I think I’ve got another six years in this game and I’ll keep trying until the day I realise I haven’t got it. At the moment I know I’ve got it, I see it in the gym.
“I’m just thinking about Kell Brook nothing else at the moment.”
