Gavin set to make bareknuckle debut

Frankie and partner Sian O’Toole…she’s concerned about comeback

FRANKIE Gavin, one of the finest amateurs ever produced by this country, a former British professional champ and world title challenger, has become a bareknuckle boxer.

The Birmingham 39-year-old will make his debut in the unforgiving sport in July, with the venue, date and promoters yet to be announced. He will fight over five rounds.

A string of ex boxers have been lured onto the rapidly expanding bareknuckle scene, but Gavin is the biggest domestic name yet.

Frankie stressed he is taking the plunge with eyes wide open. Now living in Droitwich with partner Sian O’Toole, the current Midlands featherweight champ – the couple have a son together, he said: “I’ll never be that person (in the ring) I one was. But if I can be half of that person I’ll be happy.

“If it comes to something, it comes to something. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t.”

Looking fit and trim when we met at a pro show last week, Gavin – an immensely likeable individual – stressed reasons for the decision are as much therapeutic as financial.

To a degree, he lost his way after quitting the sport in 2018 following European title defeat. At one point his weight ballooned to 16st 11lb – six stone heavier than in his heyday. He is now slimming down to compete at 11st.

“The last few years I’ve been in and out,” he admitted. “I haven’t suffered from depression, but I’ve not been myself. I did a bit of partying before thinking, ‘this isn’t me’.

“I started training at DP Boxing, in Worcester, with (fighter) Liam Carey and he lives the life. I’m now living a cleaner life, a better life. The itch is back in my knuckles.”

Frankie admitted: “Sian isn’t really happy about it, but she’s happy I’ve got something to get my head around.”

The announcement will spark a mixed reaction. Some will wish Gavin well, undoubtedly snap-up tickets and follow the champ’s progress.

Others will have concerns about a man approaching his 40s making a comeback. Traditionalists will lament the fact a boxer who achieved so much has defected to bareknuckle.

Frankie said: “People who get hurt in boxing, it happens in the late rounds when they’ve got pummelled. In bareknuckle, you are not going to get pummelled for round after round after round.”

As an amateur with Hall Green, Gavin was something very special, near untouchable. He won the ABAs, picked up a Commonwealth Games gold and, in 2007, won the World Championships – the only boxer from this country to do so.

Despite gaining outright ownership of a Lonsdale Belt at welter, being crowned Commonwealth champ and challenging for the IBF world title, there was a feeling Frankie under-achieved in a 30 bout pro career.

There were claims his discipline wandered and he too often lived-up to his “Funtime Frankie” ring nickname.

Frankie added: “One hundred per cent I have regrets. (Former trainer) Tom Chaney used to tell me things, he played a big part in getting me where I got. I wish I’d listened to him a bit more.

“My phone has been dead for the last couple of years, suddenly I’m getting calls from people wanting mate’s rates (for tickets). I wish I knew back then what I know now.”