BoxRec

Birmingham’s Frankie Gavin has vowed to fight on and wants a rematch with city rival Sam Eggington (23-3, 14 KOs) following Saturday night’s eighth-round TKO defeat to his welterweight rival.

Gavin failed to make the 147lb weight limit so the vacant WBC International welterweight title was only on the line for “The Beast”, who took the fight by the scruff of the neck once it went past the midway point.

Despite suffering knockdowns in round three and six, not to mention the bludgeoning he took as the fight ended, Gavin believes he can learn from the experience and regroup down at 140lbs.

“I think I can be a world champion at light-welter,” he told the Birmingham Evening Mail. “I’m a bit down. The three judges had me ahead, it could’ve gone either way. I could’ve made 10st 7lbs, but the British Boxing Board of Control wouldn’t let me [after refusing to let him lose more weight after failing a check weigh-in].

“Eddie (Hearn) talked about a rematch after the fight and if it’s on the table, I’ll take it. Sam’s a big welterweight—he’s a light-middle who drags himself down. He was bigger, a lot bigger. And he can punch —not knockout power, but you feel it. I don’t think me making the weight was a factor.”

“Eddie said I’d made a statement,” added Gavin

As he couldn't even make 147, I remain sceptical.

Boxerbeetle wrote:As he couldn't even make 147, I remain sceptical.

Exactly my point.. How's he meant to shed another 7lbs on top of that.. If anything he should go o 154, BUT his frame is too small for that division.

Ruthless-RKO wrote:

Boxerbeetle wrote:As he couldn't even make 147, I remain sceptical.

Exactly my point.. How's he meant to shed another 7lbs on top of that.. If anything he should go o 154, BUT his frame is too small for that division.

He just needs to train properly and follow what the nutritionalist is telling him.

He doesn't care about the sport and he can't live the life!

Stuarty30 wrote:He doesn't care about the sport and he can't live the life!

simple as that really

Boring now.

He got outclassed most of the fight and he can't even make 147. he's getting boring now u will never be world champion

He needs a round the clock babysitter

140 would at least give him a chance. Seems to be the only boxer of note thats not cheating the scales. You ll struggle in modern day boxing if you dont.

End up fighting guys much bigger stronger than you. Gavin at least has skills on his side. But tbh the ships sunk now for him i d have thought...was warned for years about it. Will probably go down and be depleted now.

I think tbf gavins not the brightest kid out there. Seems a decent kid but looks happy enough to coast along. Doesnt seem to have the drive for it.

Gavin could have been a different fighter with the right coach behind him from the off. No disrespect to arnie who,s a great trainer. But gavins a different type of fighter to most out there. Needed a niche type of trainer. Not even sure who,d have been a good fit but surely there is someone out there that would have improved him. The potential was definetely there. Although think the lack of power might have killed him in the end anyway. It definetely has at 147 anyway.

He's finnished can't punch an can't make weight properly

bbjc wrote:Seems to be the only boxer of note thats not cheating the scales.

That's one way of putting it... the other is that he's consistently shown a lack of discipline and dedication that means his latest statement is just something to roll your eyes at. To all intents and purposes he's done...

Is this so he can weigh in even heavier than his opponent? He has been there done that and failed to make weight at 140 so whats changed apart his record and his age

I'll believe it when i see it.....and i don't think i'll see it.

Presumably he intends to move to 140 and compete at Lightweight.

leejonesjnr wrote:Presumably he intends to move to 140 and compete at Lightweight.

Is he not 31 now? Must be more difficult to shift the weight as you get older so can't see him getting anywhere near 140. He struggled to make 147.

It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

When I'm off the drink I eat a lot of crap lol! Instead of my beer on a Friday or Sat I'd have a takeaway! That probably isn't the best thing to do!

Stuarty30 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

When I'm off the drink I eat a lot of crap lol! Instead of my beer on a Friday or Sat I'd have a takeaway! That probably isn't the best thing to do!

Yes, this isn't living the life.

Having said that - I've been off the booze this month (aside from 1 slip up) - have been cycling almost every day - doing weights, and I have actually put on weight - some of it is muscle, but I haven't been able to shift anything! I've been eating like a caterpillar that died of starvation in a previous life. Yesterday I had two lots of steak burgers, followed by Jerk chicken and an entire bag of hash browns for dinner. It's not exactly a mystery why.

Stuarty30 wrote:

leejonesjnr wrote:Presumably he intends to move to 140 and compete at Lightweight.

Is he not 31 now? Must be more difficult to shift the weight as you get older so can't see him getting anywhere near 140. He struggled to make 147.

He is a small guy, as has been discussed at great length he is absolutely capable of making 140, probably less however he struggles with discipline. That wasn't really the point, I was just making a childish joke about his inability to be professional and come in on weight - 140 isn't lightweight.

What many who praise Gavin for his boxing skills don't seem to recognise is phycological strength is just as important if not more critical in boxing.

I was really impressed by Gavin's skills in the fight on sat,though he showed grit in the ring sadly for him outside of the ring is where the guys do all the real work and in that respect he seems to let himself down.

The ability to discipline yourself and be honest with yourself too is a attribute just like a world class jab, you could argue and I certainly would it's the most important attribute.

Gavin should fight at 140 , no question. With the correct diet and nutrition this is achievable even at 31! I would even ask if when he first turned pro if he was strict and disciplined with his nutrition not to mention informed scientifically he could of fort at lightweight. Possibly a stretch but a consideration.

So after numerous reality checks throughout Gavin's pro career and seemingly running out of time has he learnt? The answer is no as he is calling for a rematch. Another few months maybe 6 that he will be buggering about at 147 telling himself he could of made the weight and it's all the bbofc fault!

He will never learn as he simply lacks the most important ingredient of all, personal honestly and the discipline to act on it.

After watching him on Saturday and seeing his talent first hand all I'm left with is empathy for a guy in Gavin who must know he's a victim of his own self sabotage and will likely never fulfil his potential...

I honestly get the impression now that he's just boxing for paydays. Something doesn't sit right with me in the way he missed weight so badly and how he boxed just 'having a go' and then seemed to gas out and give up a bit. It just comes across like a guy now making money off his name but not really arsed anymore.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:

Stuarty30 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

When I'm off the drink I eat a lot of crap lol! Instead of my beer on a Friday or Sat I'd have a takeaway! That probably isn't the best thing to do!

Yes, this isn't living the life.

Having said that - I've been off the booze this month (aside from 1 slip up) - have been cycling almost every day - doing weights, and I have actually put on weight - some of it is muscle, but I haven't been able to shift anything! I've been eating like a caterpillar that died of starvation in a previous life. Yesterday I had two lots of steak burgers, followed by Jerk chicken and an entire bag of hash browns for dinner. It's not exactly a mystery why.

That sounds like my kind of dinner! Not sure I'd be able to eat it all in one sitting though!

Stuarty30 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

When I'm off the drink I eat a lot of crap lol! Instead of my beer on a Friday or Sat I'd have a takeaway! That probably isn't the best thing to do!

That's probably the logic frankie follows

freddydoesdallas wrote:

Stuarty30 wrote:

jamesmcdonnell wrote:It's a wee bit of a myth the fact it's harder to shift weight. It's only when you get quite a bit older and your muscle mass declines which in turn affects the metabolism.

I was at my lightest in 20 years about 18 months ago, got down to 13 stone 7, and that's at the age of 43. Good diet, moderate levels of exercise. Obviously I'm not an elite athlete (far from it!) - but I didn't have much problem shifting the weight with a bit of discipline - not drinking for a few months certainly helped too.

At 31 with the right diet and regime, Gavin should have no problems, surely? 31 is no age these days.

When I'm off the drink I eat a lot of crap lol! Instead of my beer on a Friday or Sat I'd have a takeaway! That probably isn't the best thing to do!

That's probably the logic frankie follows

Probably I love my grub! I hate trying to bloody diet I'm no good at it! In saying that my other half bought a couple of diet cookbooks recently and she's made some dishes from them and I've really enjoyed them! I try to keep takeaways down to one a week or one every other week.

I was doing shift work up until a few weeks ago and my eating was all over the place! Now I'm on permanent days again and I have cereal and fruit before I go to work. A salad roll and fruit for lunch and whatever the Mrs is making for tea. I reckon after a few more weeks of that and all the lifting I do I'll be a little more comfortable. I'd like to get down to 15 stone before Xmas.