Frankie Gavin and Leonard Bundu came head-to-head today for the first time ahead of their European Welterweight title clash this Friday (1st August) at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and both are promising an epic.
Gavin, the undefeated British and Commonwealth Champion, says home advantage, a feverous crowd, his talent and desire, and his boyhood dream of winning the European title will ensure he rips the title from long-reigning Champion Bundu.
“Everything has fallen perfectly into place for this fight and there’s no excuse for not winning on Friday. He’s going to have to knock me out cold to keep hold of the belt, but that is never going to happen in a million years. Frank Warren has got me the European title fight in my backyard, the place will be jammed out with my fans, i’ve got to focus on what I’ve got to do and that’s beat him and beat him well. I’ve not underestimated him, I’m the challenger, he’s the champion, I’ve got to tear it from him and that will mean having to get into the trenches and going toe-to-toe with him. It’s going to be exciting in their so don’t blink.” Said Gavin.
European Champion Bundu, who knocked out Britain’s Lee Purdy in his last fight, says it will be a great fight between him and the young challenger, but he won’t get the result he’s expecting.
He said, “It’s great to be here in England again, after knocking out Purdy last time, I know that I can fight in front of a hostile crowd and get the result in another country. But Gavin is leagues above Purdy, Gavin was a world class amateur, in the professionals he’s done very well, he’s unbeaten and the British and Commonwealth Champion. Still I think that this is not his time yet, he’s very mistaken if thinks because I’m 39 year-old that I’m old and past it. I feel like I did when I was 20-years-old. He’ll have the opportunity to fight for it another time, but this Friday night the title is coming home to Italy.”
Gavin v Bundu headlines the show promoted by Frank Warren, in association with P.J Promotions, with a very few remaining tickets left available on 0870 320 7000 and www.wolvescivic.co.uk. Watch live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/HD 490 and Virgin Ch. 546), join at www.boxnation.com
RUNNING ORDER
DOORS OPEN – 18:00 hrs
Fight # 1 – 18:45 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Flyweight Contest
JAY HARRIS vs. RICKY LEACH
Fight # 2 – 19:05 hrs
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
ANDREW ROBINSON vs. DAN BLACKWELL
Fight # 3 – 19:35 hrs
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Light-Heavyweight Contest
RICKY SUMMERS vs. CURTIS GARGANO
Fight # 4 – 20:00 hrs
6 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
TOMMY LANGFORD vs. NICK JENMAN
Fight # 5 – 20:30 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Super-Middleweight Contest
CRAIG WILLSHEE vs. KIERON GRAY
Fight # 6 – 21.00 hrs
THE VACANT WBA INTERCONTINENTAL & WBC EUR-ASIA PACIFIC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP (Promoted by Ricky Hatton)
12 X 3 Minute Rounds
LUCAS BROWNE vs. ANDRIY RUDENKO
Fight # 7 – 22:00 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Lightweight Contest
JOE COSTELLO vs. LEE CONNELLY
Fight # 8 – 22:25 hrs
4 X 3 Minute Rounds Cruiserweight Contest
SIMON BARCLAY vs. MOSES MOTOVU
Fight # 9 – Follow On
THE EUROPEAN AND COMMONWEALTH WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
12 X 3 Minute Rounds @ 147 lbs
LEONARD BUNDU vs. FRANKIE GAVIN
***ALL TIMINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE***
