Frankie Gavin is not going to Beijing

[coneye]

This looks very bad, coming on the eve of the Olympics, but what were 'Team GB' meant to do? Gavin qualified 9 months ago, as world champion. Bradley Saunders qualified at the same tournament, they could hardly bump Gavin up a weight. So what, should they have pulled Gavin out months ago? Because that's what they'd have had to do, the way the qualifiers are staggered. Does Britain have another lightweight who could have qualified? They took a gamble, which they had to do. Gavin hasn't made it, which is a kick in the nuts, but should Terry Edwards have decided before the last qualifier that Gavin definitely wasn't going to make it, months out?

As for him being 3lb's over the weight: if this was a pro fight, yes, it'd be a disgrace. But he's not trying to make a one-off target, 30 hours before a fight, is he? He's got to stay on his weight for the whole tournament. I dare say if he had to make the weight, for one fight, he could do it.

It's a shame, and it certainly doesn't look good. But I cannot believe anyone's more gutted than Frankie Gavin.

Excatcly correct everything your saying and thats why its a disgrace because in this day and age they have elaborate equipment which can tell them the excact body fat percentage . knowing the body fat percentage would off indicated that it would more than likely be dangerous to carry on trying for the impossible and that if he did make it he would be so severly dehydrated has to make it dangerous.

But all in the name of winning a medal Edwards was willing to try . If reports are true that he was down to 4% body fat and still 3- 4 pounds over something has simple has a hard workout to try and lose more could have dire consequences

[Gray-Fox]

The ABAE/Team GB can't really do anything if a fighter is adamant that he will make the weight.

[johnty1888]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/au ... avinboxing


from Kerry Kayes "Last month, however, Kayes had warned that, "My help ends when Frankie gets on the plane. I know I could help him a lot nutritionally in China but, in their wisdom, the British amateur boxing people don't seem to want me there. That's their right and I hope it works out for them and, especially, for Frankie."


from Frankie himself "The ABA are a joke, really," Gavin said. "They don't do nothing for you. They give you so many promises but they just don't keep 'em. So I can't see me staying amateur unless something changes."


sounds like short-sightedness from the ABA to me

[Coco]

I think one of the problems is that the people running the show have fallen on their feet with the windfall that is the lottery.
My point being that they are scared that they will be exposed and lose these new highly paid jobs. That is why the likes of Kerry Kayes and Ritchie Woodhall were edged out.

[Coco]

U.S bantam Gary Russell was sent home after not making the weight as well

[coneye]

I think one of the problems is that the people running the show have fallen on their feet with the windfall that is the lottery.
My point being that they are scared that they will be exposed and lose these new highly paid jobs. That is why the likes of Kerry Kayes and Ritchie Woodhall were edged out.

You just hit the nail on the head there mate, profesional sports politicians and nothing else

[coneye]

Gone to the olympics to represent there country and no team tracksuit, Speaks volumes does'nt it

[steve689]

Has the draw been made yet for the first round of fights?

[Gray-Fox]

Has the draw been made yet for the first round of fights?

Yes. There's another thread on it.

[dondada]

As aforementioned, I remember when Scott Harrison was trying to get back on track (Nicky Cook defence?) and was absolutely killing himself to get weight off. He was supposedly on course, down to 9st 4lb and thought everything was ok. Then, despite working like stink, his body just rebelled and nothing worked...weird.

I think your example of Harrison trying to make weight was probably more to do with going out on the piss and eating kebabs rather than his body not responding

Not at all, otherwise I wouldn't have used it. He was working like f*ck and being a good boy.

Then when his body wouldn't have it....he went out on the piss and ate kebabs.

[MightyWarrior]

Sounds to me like Kerry is full of hot air to be honest - he "guarantees" he could have had Gavin on weight? Well maybe, but dead on his feet at the same time by the sound of things.

Using his work with a fat Ricky Hatton is hardly the same thing - Gavin isn't anywhere near fat and obviously fighting at below his natural weight. The Thai pros do the same thing, boiling down and ending up with very short careers as a result.

Plus Gavin would have had to make that weight every couple of days.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

The ABA will be behind the eff up you can mark my words - the ABA must be the most self serving, incompetent sporting body in this country - I would say the world but that would be the IABA.

And you are right - 8 boxers and 50 suits going to Bejing - what a complete farce!

[TheGoods]

Terry Edwards: "The simple fact is these things happen in boxing."

What a complete and utter crank. Got a big lump in my throat when I read that. Feel so sorry for Gavin. Edwards attitude in general and quotes like the above are outrageous. Just saddened by the whole affair. Lions led by Monkeys I'm afraid.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/oly ... ional.html

Hey up read this:

Gavin, meanwhile, has beaten his weight problems so effectively that Edwards is concerned he is too trim.


'He was just 2lb above the limit yesterday and we're still training hard. I'd like a bit more flesh on him. But don't you concern yourself - Frankie is going to make the weight and win the gold medal,' said Edwards - to which Gavin quipped: 'As long as nobody buys me cake or ice-cream.'

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Has Kerry heard of something called a phone? Or was he suggesting he personally gave Gavin an enema to shed some weight?

LEts all blame the ABA for a fighter not making the weight he was at 9months ago

[Asterix]

Another one down (American this time) due to not being able to make weight, only this one lost consciousness!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/ ... 7203.story

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Has Kerry heard of something called a phone? Or was he suggesting he personally gave Gavin an enema to shed some weight?

LEts all blame the ABA for a fighter not making the weight he was at 9months ago

The ABA are a bunch of eff ups - and though I wouldn't have put blame squarely on the ABA before I read this quote from Edwards -

'He was just 2lb above the limit yesterday and we're still training hard. I'd like a bit more flesh on him. But don't you concern yourself'

You can imagine Edwards and the suits going to the local takeaway in Macao with Gavin as guest of honour giving it 'you're looking a little bit skinny there Frankie - have some more fried dumplings lad! some fried rice won't kill yer either'

[Poncey]

Another one down (American this time) due to not being able to make weight, only this one lost consciousness!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/ ... 7203.story

Makes Murray's route easier.

[Coco]

2 lbs is a hell of a lot of weight to take off if you have stripped everything off and drained yourself already
In that situation it is a real struggle to take off ounces

[Coco]

Another one down (American this time) due to not being able to make weight, only this one lost consciousness!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/ ... 7203.story

Is he being accused of being fat and lazy on the current scene!
I presume he made the weight in the last year to qualify as well

[JamesH]

I have found some comments about this story quite amusing.

"Gavin is a disgrace and so is British amateur boxing who are trying to save their arse's now and coming out with all kinds of excuses"

Admittedly its an embarrasing situation to be in but to call a 22 year old a disgrace is a bit strong, though not as strong as other words and accusations being bandied about. The lad is Britains first world champ. I'd love to see him fight in the olympics and win that too, but not if it involves taking huge risks with his health. Honestly, this is one boxing event with the widest audience, precautions in aid of health and safety are fine by me.

"what pisses me off the most apart from him pissing my money and yours up the wall is that some poor kid from a slum in africa or south america could have used that Olympic lightweight place as a way out of poverty instead of it being wasted by a fat overfed scouser who cudn't be bothered to train and focus on his diet properly!"

Ok. If Frankie didnt get the funding, someone else would have and no guarentees they would have been successful, even in qualifying. And its not as if Frankie has always had it easy himself...

And fat overfed scouser? That's totally ignorant and incorrect.

"Gavin (Clearly smarming at this) laughed it off, saying stuff like "Amir just didn't want to fight me" and the like...."

He may well have made such comments but it's not the first boxer to have done. Hes young and rightly has confidence in ability. Amir has made similar comments about Frankie (and everybody else he 'talks' about fighting).

"THEN, just last week, Gavin was saying that being "favourite" doesn't mean anything and that he still has to work hard."

That doesnt sound too bad to me...

"THEN, he said, that he didn't know if he could stay amateur after the 2008 Olympics necause of the ££££ in amateur boxing.. He said that he did wnat to represent Britain in London 2012, but he has to take it step-by-step..."

Ok, fair point. There has been a bit of bartering via the press to this end and some of it became a little tiresome, but compare Gavin's bank account with Amir "Just set up my own 700k gym on my doorstep" Khan and you see where Frankie is coming from.

"Please odn't compare Gavin to any previous fighters... This guy had the hopes of GB with him, and he delighted in it... He was always willing to give an interview for the BBC or "Inside Sport", I really didn't mind that as long as he got into the ring and done his best..."

He delighted in having the hopes of a country on his shoulders? What would you prefer? A Tim Henman-like complex over the fact ppl wished him well and had high hopes? Willing to give an interview to the BBC?? I'm sure they asked him and he just obliged, nothing wrong with that. Young people trying to get exposure for themselves and their sport will generally speak to international broadcasters when asked. Only Alex Ferguson turns down the beeb ;0) And to be fair to Frankie, as world champ he was the biggest name to interview...

I feel sorry for Frankie on this one, he seems to be getting a very hard time for this when his dreams have just been shattered and left him in tears. As long as he learns what he can from the situation and moves on I'm sure he will be a better athlete for it, and I for one wish the "scouser" well.

[yiddo14]

Why did he compete at the lower weight at the Worlds in the first place?

The weight issue must have been a problem back then, so why go for the lower weight?

[TheGoods]

Have just heard a very, very naughty rumour regarding why Frankie Gavin is no longer at the Olympics. If true it's a disgrace. A genuine fornicating disgrace.

[Horse]

Why did he compete at the lower weight at the Worlds in the first place?

The weight issue must have been a problem back then, so why go for the lower weight?

Because he had more chance of winning at the lower weight, I presume.

[yiddo14]

Have just heard a very, very naughty rumour regarding why Frankie Gavin is no longer at the Olympics. If true it's a disgrace. A genuine effing disgrace.

What a tease...