SLICK Nottingham prospect Nathan McIntosh will head into his biggest fight yet full of confidence after receiving Frankie Gavin’s seal of approval.
The unbeaten East Midlander has been preparing for his October 1 Midlands Area Welterweight Title clash with Craig Morris at Stoke’s Fenton Manor by making regular trips to Birmingham to spar with world-class Gavin.
McIntosh, who meets Morris on Hatton Boxing’s ‘The Beginning’, hopes the sessions will give him the edge – and Gavin himself has been more than impressed with his training partner.
Britain’s only world amateur champion, who has a big fight of his own against fellow Brummie Sam Eggington next month, told uko-boxing.com: “I really rate Nathan. He’s a smart, unbeaten fighter and we’ve had some good sparring. He’s skilful and he’s got a bit of a bang.
“I don’t know Craig Morris so I can’t make firm predictions but McIntosh is in great shape for the fight.”
Gavin, like Morris, is a southpaw and 28-year-old McIntosh believes the experience has been invaluable.
“I’ve been sparring Frankie who is obviously a southpaw like Morris,” he said.
“Frankie’s a top lad. When I first sparred him I thought ‘Oh God, I’m sparring Frankie Gavin. But it was good. I got good feedback from him and he’s been asking me back to do more, because he’s got a big fight of his own coming up.
“He said I’m good sparring for him and that’s good to hear.”
McIntosh added: “I want to be busier. I’m glad I’m fighting Morris because he’s a good name, a good fighter. He comes forward, he’s got a good record. He comes to fight and that should suit me to a tee.”
‘The Beginning’ is the first in number of upcoming shows to be hosted by Hatton Boxing, the company founded by the two-weight world champion; Hatton Boxing also manufactures premium boxing equipment and trains thousands of fitness professionals each year through its Academy.
The card is headlined by Nathan Gorman’s Central Area heavyweight title clash with David Howe and also features Kieron McLaren and Chris Adaway in a tussle for the British Challenge (Classic) belt.
Also featured are Hatton Promotions’ welterweight prospect Sam ‘Taffy’ Evans, popular Irishman Chris Blaney, Stafford stalwart Rob Hunt, Ruskington’s Dan Cooper and hometown debutant Owen Jobburn.
Tickets to are priced at £30 for general admission and £60 for ringside and can be purchased at Hattonboxing.com
