Gavin set to tell his side of the story…

Promotional poster for the “meet and greet” event

FRANKIE Gavin – the greatest amateur fighter to have come out of Birmingham – is to reveal his gripping story in a “must” night for fight fans.

Frankie reveals all at a meet and greet event entitled “A Nigtht With Frankie Gavin”, staged at Birmingham’s B8 Community Hall on Saturday, July 8.

The supremely gifted fighter has some story to tell: a story of highs and lows, of controversy and unfulfilled talent.

I’ve always liked Frankie. As a reporter for the Birmingham Mail, we had our ups and downs, but I found the man honest to a fault. He’s also very good company.

His honesty should make the night very entertaining. It’s certainly a tale packed with drama.

Frankie gained amateur boxing’s highest accolade, a world title, then suffered the heartbreak of being pulled from the Olympics at the last minute because of weight-making issues.

As a pro, he gained outright ownership of a Lonsdale belt at welter, but was turned back at European and world level.

Gavin retired after being KOd by Spain’s European champ Kerman Lejarraga in 2018. He entered a Bilbao stadium that resembled a bear pit for that one.

With Frankie there was just as much drama outside the ring as in it. It was a career pitted with pull-outs and weight-making battles.

He once admitted to me: “I never really loved professional boxing.” I think that lay at the heart of the controversies.

He also told me: “Sometimes I’ve been my own worst enemy.”

Whatever your thoughts on Gavin’s career, his candour in those press interviews has to be admired.

I’m looking forward to hearing Frankie’s take on the headlines – on both news and sports pages – spawned by his career.

“A Night With Frankie Gavin” takes place at the B8 Community Hall, Birmingham B8 3AN, on Saturday, July 8, 6pm start.

The event is a snip at £30 and includes food and photo opportunities. To book a ticket, contact 07958156075.