Frankie Gavin back in action on 2/19

Hotshot Frankie Gavin has set his sights on the British light-welterweight title after being inspired by James DeGale.

Gavin, Britain’s only ever amateur world champion, was ruled out of his last fight against Dean Harrison for the WBO Intercontinental title in December with ‘flu.

He was ringside at the Liverpool Echo Arena to witness close friend DeGale claim the British Super-Middleweight title in only his ninth fight with a win over Paul Smith.

Funtime Frankie starts his 2011 campaign at London’s famous York Hall on Saturday 19th February in an eight-round contest and has targeted the Lonsdale by the summer.

“James showed that you don’t need to have had many fights as a professional before you are capable of challenging at British level – if you are good enough, you should go for it.” Said Gavin.

“Lenny Daws is the current British champion but I’ll knock him out if I get to fight him.

“I was gutted to miss out on fighting in Liverpool. It was a pretty spectacular card and I would have loved to have been a part of it.

“I had mixed feelings watching James do so well.

“I was made up for him because we were good mates when we were amatuers, and I love seeing him do well.

“But there was a part of me that wanted a little bit of that for myself, so I definitely need to crack on and win that British title before too long.

“I just hope that if Daws is offered the chance to fight me he doesn’t run a mile.”

Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Tony Bellew headlines a terrific card at the York Hall when he meets Ovill McKenzie in a rematch of their thriller last December, with the vacant British title also on the line.

An exciting heavyweight showdown sees Larry ‘The War Machine’ Olubamiwo defend his Southern Area title against John McDermott.

Completing the card is 2006 Commonwealth Games Champion Jamie Cox, Vinny Mitchell, Bradley Skeete, Ahmet Patterson, Billy Morgan and Freddie ‘Luke’ Turner.

Tickets, priced at £40 and £60, are available from Ticketmaster 0844 847 2500 and www.frankwarren.tv