By Lee Collier
Anthony Farnell had his last professional fight at the age of 26 before retiring with a record of 33 wins (20 early) and 4 defeats. The Mancunian, known as ‘The Warrior’, won the WBU crown at light-middleweight and then he won a second WBU belt after moving to middleweight.
Just a year after his retirement, Farnell found himself involved in the sport as a pro trainer. Four years down the line and Farnell now finds himself in charge of a thriving gym full of top prospects, including Frankie Gavin and Tony Bellew.
Whilst none of Farnell’s fighters have yet to win a title the likable trainer was still happy with the progress of his fighters and gym in 2009. “Last year was a good year but it could have gone better,” stated Farnell.
“We had Steven Bell losing on the Khan-Salita bill and he was having a good year up until then. On the upside I have some brilliant prospects coming through so I just need to stay in the gym and work hard.”
The 34-year-old Bell stepped up to title level at the end of the year only to be stopped in the seventh round by Commonwealth featherweight boss John Simpson; Farnell will support Bell whatever path he chooses to take.
“We haven’t sat down yet,” said Farnell speaking of Bell. “I just want him to get that loss out of his system and then it’s up to him and what he fancies. I am a mate with Steven and he has a good acting career coming up so if he follows that path I’ll support him.”
Possibly the most promising prospect in Farnell’s gym, and one of the most promising in Britain, is Frankie ‘Funtime’ Gavin and Farnell has been impressed with the Birmingham fighter’s start in the pro ranks.
“Frankie’s first year went better than I imagined,” enthused Farnell. “Frankie was supposedly the one with the amateur style who couldn’t punch and yet he has stopped all of his opponents and he is getting the rave reviews out of all the Olympians. Frankie is showing all the promise out of all the Olympians.”
Gavin’s first fight of 2010 is a step up for the former World Amateur Champion when he faces the durable Irishman Peter McDonagh; Farnell believes his fighter could be in for a tough night.
“I think it is a very tough fight for Frankie. Peter McDonagh hasn’t got a really good record but I have watched him for the last few years and he is very tough and throws lots of shots. If Frankie boxes how he can McDonagh shouldn’t get near him,” predicted Farnell.
“I have told Frankie to relax and he gets his stoppages using fast shots in bunches. If he starts planting his feet too much that’s when you see bad habits come in. Frankie needs to keep some of those amateur traits about him. When he boxes fast and uses his feet I think he would beat any light-welterweight out there.”
Farnell is confident that Gavin is ready for titles this year if promoter Frank Warren puts the young star forward. “At the end of the year Frankie will be able to take out any light-welterweight in Britain,” boasted Farnell.
“I think he is better than most of them now. All we need to do is adapt him to 12 rounds, as that’s the unknown with Frankie at the minute. There are some tough lads who can go the 12 rounds like Lenny Daws so this next fight will be a good gauge to see what he is like with a tough fighter in the later rounds.”
Former three-time ABA champion Tony Bellew has continued his form through 2009 by blasting opponents out of his way and Farnell is happy with how the Liverpudlian is progressing.
“I am really happy with Tony this year. He has managed to show people he can box as well as being a banger,” stated Farnell. “People who have too many knockouts don’t show all they have but when Bellew steps up to the 12 rounds you will see the best of him. It’s a title fight next for Tony and we are just waiting to find out who he will be fighting.”
Bellew has made it clear that the man he wants to fight is fellow Frank Warren fight Nathan Cleverly and Farnell is in agreement with his fighter.
“I would like Tony to fight Cleverly at the end of the year but if the chance came now we would take it. No one knows what Cleverly is like when he gets tagged and Bellew will tag him. The only problem for Tony taking Cleverly is once he reaches that level they are all tough fights, there are no learning fights after that.”
Farnell continued: “I would like a few more learning fights for Tony, against guys like Ovill McKenzie, who will push him, or Joey Vegas but if it [the Cleverly fight] comes it comes and I am confident - I know deep down that Tony has a lot of a skill and can win a fight behind his jab. I believe Tony can go all the way.”
A new acquisition at Farnell’s gym is former Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Matthew Hall. The Mancunian fighter is looking to rebuild his career after a heavy defeat to Anthony Small in the summer of 2009; Farnell outlined his plans for the new boy.
“I would like Matthew to come back and have a tough fight. Matty has been a Commonwealth champion so there is no point putting him in these six or eight round fights. We need to get him in a title fight straight away to show people what he has,” explained Farnell.
“No disrespect to [Brian Hughes’] Moston & Collyhurst gym, as they did a good job with Matty, but I am trying to bring something else out of him. I am trying to show not just power, but having Matthew put together fast shots and not just looking for the knock out.”
2009 ABA light-welterweight champion Ronnie Heffron turned professional in December; Heffron started training under the tutelage of Farnell late last year and the trainer is excited about his young prospect.
“Ronnie is very exciting fighter and what is brilliant is he will spar Frankie Gavin and if he does something wrong he will pay for it so he is learning fast. Some of the spars are like fights and if he spars people like Frankie and Matty [Hall] he will constantly learn and this year will be a good year for him,” declared Farnell.
Farnell’s gym is looking extremely healthy these days yet the man himself feels he is far from the complete article.
“I feel everyday that I learn something new,” claimed Farnell. “Somebody sent me a message the other day from America asking me when do I think I’ll stop learning. The thing is you never stop learning and in boxing once you think you know everything that’s when you come unstuck.
“When I fought Takaloo I thought I was ten men and he showed me I wasn’t so that’s what I need to do as a trainer and keep learning. Some trainers get stuck in their ways and think their way is the best but there is always someone who knows something you don’t.”
Farnell concluded: “I don’t want to say I am the best trainer, I don’t want that accolade, I just want my fighters to be known as the best fighters. I don’t give a toss what people think of me as long as my lads know I’m the right man for them.
“I see Tony Bellew, Frankie Gavin and Matthew Hall winning titles this year and it should be a fantastic year for us. They are still having learning fights but are definitely capable of winning titles.”
