By Lee Collier
Frankie Gavin extended his unbeaten start in the professional ranks to six fights last Saturday by beating durable Irishman Peter McDonagh over the six round distance. Gavin, who had won his first five within the distance, put in the most accomplished performance of his career by winning every round against a boxer who has given the likes of British champion Lenny Daws a close fight.
Boxingscene.com caught up with Gavin and his trainer Anthony Farnell; the Birmingham boxer was happy with the performance he put in. “I relaxed, took my time and wasn’t looking for the knock out,” revealed Gavin. “At the beginning, I went down to his level then for the last four rounds I picked it up and showed I can box beautifully. I was picking him off and throwing some beautiful shots.”
In Gavin’s early fights the boxer had been aggressive but against McDonagh the 24 year old stood off more and used his boxing ability to win all six rounds. “I was moving well, I wasn’t getting hit flush. I was getting hit but only on the side, I was riding his shots well. There’s still a long way to go I know I’m not the best now but with a bit more work I’ll get there,” declared Gavin.
Gavin has stated that he would feel confident enough taking on British champion Lenny Daws and felt that he could have gone the championship distance against McDonagh. “I felt fine going six rounds, actually I would have liked to have done another six rounds, I would have done eight or ten no problems,” explained Gavin.
“I am doing ten rounds with Matthew Hall in training and no light-welterweight in Britain puts as much pressure or is as strong as Matthew Hall. If I can do ten rounds with Matthew Hall I can do 10 rounds with any light-welterweight in Britain.”
Gavin’s trainer Anthony Farnell was also happy with the progress of his young fighter and felt that Gavin put in a mature performance. “I thought Frankie was great, I told him to just go out there and enjoy himself, he didn’t try and go and knock him out. McDonagh is very tough so there was no point going out brawling - Frankie boxed beautifully,” revealed Farnell
“His footwork is brilliant, when Frankie uses his footwork and his head movement no-one has a defence like him. He is like a new Pernell Whitaker”
Farnell was not shy in backing up his fighters claims of fighting for the British title and Lenny Daws. “I would take Lenny Daws for Frankie’s next fight and I know Frankie would win otherwise I wouldn’t put him in there with Daws. Frankie has been sparring the likes of Matthew Hall and Ronnie Heffron, who is quick like Daws. I think Daws is a top guy but Frankie is just a league above him,” predicted Farnell.
