Ever since he became Britain’s first and only World Amateur Champion, Frankie Gavin has been the focus of the boxing media’s attention for all the wrong reasons. Firstly, having worked so hard to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing, his growing body would no longer allow him to make 9 stone 4. After moving up to Light Welterweight, he enjoyed a strong start in the pro ranks, totally outclassing his opponents, often blasting them away at will.

Then suddenly, Gavin claimed he was finding it more and more difficult to make the 10 stone limit. After trying his hand at 10 stone 7 in a less than inspiring performance against the limited Young Mutley, Gavin declared his next fight against Curtis Woodhouse would be at a catchweight of 10 stone 4lbs. Again, Gavin failed to make the agreed weight, and the fight was held at the Welterweight limit.

After turning in another below par performance against the ex-footballer Woodhouse, Gavin decided a change was needed to resurrect his seemingly stalling career. After leaving long time friend and boxing coach Anthony Farnell, he teamed up with respected London trainer Jimmy Tibbs at the TKO gym.

‘The weight is coming down nicely’ Gavin said. ‘I always knew I could make 10 stone 7. When people see me they say “you’re bigger than I thought”. Maybe I could make 10 stone, but listening to Jimmy he said he won’t get 12 rounds out of me, he won’t get the crème out of me. I trust Jimmy. He put Mitchell up to Lightweight, and now look at him. You look at my weigh in against Michael Kelly, I don’t look a healthy 10 stone fighter. I look thin in the face and there’s nothing of me. Now I feel a lot stronger and I’m a lot happier.’

‘My next fight is against Frank Horta. I know people have been saying negative things but I think it’s a step up. When you look at the people he’s beat, I think it’s a 50/50 fight. He’s had a couple of fights at Light Middleweight but he’s primarily a Welter who won the French Welterweight title. I know Mark Thompson beat him but he probably should have lost. I never go into a fight looking to knock someone out. But I’ve been looking really good in the gym, and I’ve been hitting hard so I should have enough to beat this guy.’

Gavin’s short term goal remains consistent. ‘I want the Purdy fight’ he said in a determined manor. ‘In a way he is similar to Woodhouse. But I have more respect for Purdy as a puncher and a boxer. I didn’t respect Woodhouse’s power. I was just walking in not really bothered. I won’t make the same mistake against Purdy that’s for sure. There’s been other names mentioned, I know a few of the Irish fans want me to fight Dean Byrne. I’ve sparred with him and he doesn’t worry me. No disrespect, but he can’t outbox me. From sparring, we both know who the better fighter is.’

Questions were asked about the talented youngster after his last two mediocre performances. ‘Against Michael Lomax I looked a million dollars’ he said. ‘I was pretty much punch perfect in my first 9 fights, it’s just the last two that have let me down. I can’t put it down to Arnie, he was trying to get the best out of me, but I just wasn’t turning up mentally. Things that I was trying in the gym just weren’t coming off.  I had the flu the week before Mutley and I didn’t really fancy it during the ring walk. I should have done a lot more in the gym preparing for Woodhouse in particular. I went in there with a few personal problems and I was going to the gym unhappy with my head not focused. But I’m not making excuses; I’m not that kind of guy. My last two performances haven’t been good enough; it’s as simple as that. But I’ve learned from the mistakes. You won’t see me with my mouthpiece knocked out again, believe me.’

Another concern fans have over Gavin is his inactivity, with the unbeaten Brummy fighter having had just 11 fights in the two-and-a-half years since he turned professional. But he believes this will be a thing of the past, particularly with the creation of BoxNation. ‘The good thing is, it’s been written into my contract that I’m going to have 5 fights a year now. After Horta, I should be out the first or second week in December. I want to take the little’uns away for Christmas, but after that I’ll be straight back in the gym. Funtime wasn’t really suited to me. And now I want people to see that.  I want them to see how dedicated I am. Everyone knows what Jimmy and Mark (Tibbs) are like; they won’t have anyone messing about. But as soon as I got in the gym I said ‘listen, Funtime isn’t me’ and they’ve seen a big improvement already. I can’t wait to get out there and prove the doubters wrong’.

‘People say ‘ooh he wasn’t happy in Manchester, what’s he going be like with the nightlife in London’, but that’s not me. My nickname makes me out to be something I’m not. Funtime is over, and I’ll prove that!’
Will Frankie Gavin’s change of both trainer and weight rekindle his career? Only time will tell. But one thing that cannot be argued is Gavin’s focus and dedication to the sport. The fun and games are well and truly over.