Frankie Gavin today signed a professional contract with boxing promoter Frank Warren. The 23 year-old from Birmingham revealed he “always knew I would turn pro.” Gavin, who withdrew from the Beijing Olympics having failed to make the weight, told Steve Bunce on Setanta Sports News it was just “a matter of who to sign with..”
“There were a few offers on the table. In the end Frank Warren came in with the best offer. Some people were matching him, money wise, but I think Frank Warren has the opportunity to make me world champion.”
Gavin is determined to put his Beijing nightmare behind him and added that he is prepared to “sacrifice everything” to be successful in the professional ranks.
“I want to get myself in the best possible shape. I really want to perform and box well. It doesn’t matter to me whether I’m knocking them out or winning on points; all that matters is the win.
“I have to do everything professional and properly to make the weight; whatever it takes. I’m ready to do that by moving away from my home town and going to another city to train.”
Warren backs ‘the Olympians’ for success
Boxing promoter Frank Warren expressed his “delight” at having signed Great Britain’s Olympic trio of Billy Joe Saunders, Frankie Gavin and gold medallist James DeGale.
In an interview for Steve Bunce’s Boxing Hour on Setanta Sports News Warren said he was excited to be involved with such promising youngsters.
“People were trying to sign these guys. We beat off a lot of opposition from around the world. It’s exciting for me because it’s the start of a journey.
“I like getting involved with youngsters and nurturing them and helping to develop their careers and talents. These three are to go places.”
Warren emphasised that his new signings would need time to adjust to the professional ranks and admitted that some may take more time than others.
“It’ll be interesting to see how quickly they develop. They won’t all progress at the same time, that’s for sure. I’m sure one of them will fight for a title before the others.
“They’ve got to learn their trade, learn their craft. It’s about determining when the time is right to let them off the leash.
“For me the challenge is that not one British gold medallist has ever won a title. And this is an opportunity for James DeGale to go out and break this duck.”
Warren added that the Olympians would fight on the same card six to eight times a year at events up and down the country.
“There’ll be title fights on the shows as well, so this is going to be a chance for the fans to come out and see kids from amateurs at the early stages of their careers.”