Frankie Gavin Signs With Matchroom, Returns May 9

By Terence Dooley 

Birmingham’s Frankie Gavin has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom; he will spearhead their drive to put on more shows in the Midlands.  Gavin, 21-1 (13), became a free agent last week after Frank Warren revealed that he was not taking up the option of a new deal with the 29-year-old British and Commonwealth welterweight champion.  Gavin will headline at the Barclay Card Arena on May 9.  

"Mr Warren will not be renewing his management and promotional contracts with welterweight boxer Frankie Gavin," Warren's press office revealed last week in a statement.  "Mr Warren, who signed Gavin in 2008, guided him to British, Commonwealth and WBO Intercontinental titles in his 22-fight career. In addition Mr Warren secured Gavin a hometown European title opportunity that was also a final eliminator for the WBO World title and also steered him to No.1 challenger spot in the WBO.  Mr Warren wishes Mr. Gavin all the best in his future career."

The writing was on the wall for some time, with both sides agreeing that the best move was to go their separate ways.

"Things had become a bit stale and it was clear that the time had come to move on," responded Gavin when speaking to the Birmingham Evening Mail.  "I thank Frank for all he has done for me and I too wish him all the best and continued success.

"I am starting afresh and already I am getting a new buzz and a new lease of life.  I am really made up and looking forward to fighting in Birmingham.  When that happens it will be a dream come true. Something I have always wanted.  And there will be the opportunity for other Birmingham boxers to do the same.  It's all looking great."

This announcement led to speculation that Gavin would ink a deal with Hearn, who confirmed the news before pledging to guide Gavin to the top.

"I am really excited to be working with Frankie Gavin, he'll box on the Brook show on March 28 then we're in Birmingham on May 9," revealed Hearn.

Gavin's only defeat came against Leonard Bundu, a split decision loss in August; he had to pick himself up of the canvas after taking a crippling left hook to the body in round six, but did enough to bring himself back into a fight that was slipping away from him.  Comeback wins over Mate Hornyak (TKO 2) and Bradley Skeete (W12) have brought the former star amateur back into EBU contention. 

Gavin turned pro on Warren’s bumper show in at Birmingham's NIA in February 2009.  Wins over Curtis Woodhouse (SD 12) and Kevin McIntyre (W TKO 3) brought him into title contention.  He picked up the British belt by defeating Junior Witter then (W12) then consolidated his position with a win over Commonwealth boss Denton Vassell (TKO 7) only to fall short against Bundu in his next step up.

"This is the best platform in the World, not many people have seen me recently, but I am back on Sky and the sky is the limit," said Gavin when discussing his decision to switch promotional camps.  "[IBF titlist] Kell Brook is my target—I'm number five in the IBF and with Birmingham behind me I'm looking at that fight by the end of the year."

"We're very pleased to be back in Birmingham," added Adam Smith, the head of Sky Boxing.  "It feels like ages since we were here for Frankies debut.  He needs to knuckle down and take it seriously and he is good enough to win a world title and he will do Birmingham proud" (Quote c/o @firstclassboxing.)

Gavin’s last outing in Birmingham was a fifth-round TKO over Michael Kelly in September 2010.  The undercard will be bolstered by the return of Birmingham-born Matthew Macklin, who lost to Jorge Sebastian Heiland in November (KO 10).  The three-time world title challenger will want to put the memory of the Heiland loss behind him and move back into title contention.

Khalid and Gamal Yafai will also feature so too will Sam Eggington—all three are local fighters and will help Gavin galvanise local support.

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