by James Slater – 23-year-old light-welterweight prospect Frankie “Fun Time” Gavin has his second pro fight tonight, on the under-card of the Martin Rogan-Sam Sexton clash in Belfast. Highly touted, Gavin says he has been watching over and over the May 2nd Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton fight, and that he is going to try and emulate the great man from The Philippines as he continues to make his own name in the paid ranks..
As with any other up-and-coming talent, Gavin aspires to become a world champion one day. However, the man who famously missed out on his spot on the British team that went to the Beijing Olympics due to his failure to make weight says he will also be very proud of himself if he manages to become even half the fighter “Pac-Man” is.
A southpaw like Pacquiao, Gavin won his pro debut back in February via a 4th round TKO that showed us his boxing skills. Tonight, though, in his fight against Mourad Frarema of France, Gavin says we will see his punch power – or as he puts it, his ‘wicked’ style of fighting.
Gavin, a big Ricky Hatton fan as well as a huge admirer of the man who flattened him in just two rounds almost two weeks ago, was massively impressed by Pacquiao’s display in Las Vegas.
Speaking to The Birmingham Mail, Gavin said he has learnt a lot from the fight, as quick as it was.
“That was an amazing performance,” Gavin said of the May 2nd win by Pacquiao. “Just perfect and a great example to all young boxers, especially southpaws like me. I have already watched it several times and there is something different to learn every time. Hatton is a hero and a legend, but he was made to look very ordinary by Pacquiao and he isn’t ordinary.
“If over the next few years I can develop my ability to be just half as good it will be fantastic. He [Manny] had a tremendous reception from his home fans in Manila when he toured the city in an open-topped bus. Maybe in the future that could happen to me – a tour round Birmingham city centre as world champion in an open-topped bus. Wouldn’t that be something?”
It’s still embryonic days for Gavin in the pro ranks, obviously. Yet the 1-0 (1) prospect has tasted big success at amateur level – when he became world amateur champion. Frankie says he wants to achieve the same level of success at paid level now.
“I won the world championship as an amateur and I enjoyed being the best on the globe,” Gavin said. “I had to work hard for that and it has taught me that I will have to work even harder to reach the same level as a professional. I am determined to get there.”
The next step comes tonight, against the 2-3 (1) Frenchman. Gavin says he’d love to do to Frarema what Pacquiao did to Hatton.
“I think he will be tough and strong and a good test for me,” Frankie said of tonight’s opponent. “If I can do a ‘Pacquiao’ and finish it in two that would be really wicked.”
Gavin may not KO the 24-year-old – who has boxed as high as light-middleweight in the past – as quickly as the 2nd round, but “Fun Time” is sure to win in style.