Frankie Gavin gets Irish title shot
He may be as Irish as a pint of Guinness from the Bull and Bison in Solihull, but Frankie Gavin has been given his first title shot, for the vacant Irish strap.
Brummie Gavin will go head to head with Michael Kelly for the title on September 18th on Frank Warrens “Magnificent Seven” card.
If you are stumped as to how Birmingham-born Gavin, who represented England all through his amateur career, can fight for an Irish title it’s the boxing equivalent of Owen Hargreaves. “Funtime Frankie’s” parents are Irish and so the light-welterweight has qualified to be the pride of the Emerald Isle by ancestry.
It will surely be the first of many titles as this Plastic Paddy eyes up long-term world glory. There’s no doubt Gavin has a fine amateur pedigree including gold medals as world and EU level, while the chance of Olympic glory was snatched away from him as he failed to make the weight. The challenge now is to take that form on to the professional circuit and the Irish title contender hasn’t done to badly so far.
Since turning pro the little leprechaun has fought seven times wining six of them by knockout and proving himself to be a very impressive pugilist. He has quick, unforgiving hand-speed which he backs up with genuine power, he buzzes around the ring with real finesse and fine footwork; there’s no doubt that “Fun Time Frankie" is exciting to watch and future star of the sport.
Talking about his upcoming title shot, Gavin is quoted as saying on www.FrankWarren.tv, "Since turning pro I've been driving Frank mad to get me a title shot and he's told me to be patient and learn my trade and my time will come.
"I feel that I'm ready to challenge for a title and this fight against Kelly has really got my juices flowing.
"My parents are from Ireland so I will be very proud if I can lift this title.”
The future is certainly bright for Gavin as he launches himself in arguably the world’s toughest weight class. Domestically he has challenges in the form of Lenny Daws, John O’Donnell and Paul McCloskey, while internationally Timothy Bradley Jnr, fellow Briton Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana and Devon Alexander rule the roost, so it is without question a tough road to the top.
But it should be Irish – and English - eyes should be smiling Gavin takes on Kelly.
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