For me even if he wasn't dedicated, if he was going to be a top level professional you'd be able to see that. What I mean is, he would still be beating likes of Eggington etc but maybe not the way he should be, as in like a near shutout/stoppage. Same for other fights also. I look at other talented fighters (likely to be world class fighters) who maybe aren't as disciplined as they need to be, especially in the middle of there careers. Then compare them to Gavin. Those kind of fighters even not being dedicated you expect to still get past domestic / european level but maybe not stopping fighters they should be etc. I never got that impression with Gavin, just thought he was at domestic/ lower European level even when people said he wasnt being dedicated. Again nothing wrong with that at all but I just didn't see him any more then that. If he completely dedicated, he could of done a lot more but he wouldn't of been a world champ at 147, that's just my opinion.
Was hyped by the press at the time as our team gb guaranteed gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and he fails to make weight too small to be fighting at 147, I said it from the off! Good fighter with an awkward style but couldn’t break an egg at that weight. he was a regular on this forum for awhile too I hope he’s made enough money from the sport
Whereas a few have said they never expected him to do much, I genuinely thought he could be a world beater. It was definitely his weight, even though he swore blind he couldn't make 140 he definitely could, you could see it looking st how fleshy he was. That said, he was nice enough and sound when he used to post on here. It was definitely his lifestyle that let him down, if he had the right motivation and and correct mindset I'm sure he could have actually challenged for a title, rather than fought but not competed. He should have battered Bundu that's for sure,
Well said Journey Man, I believe also he could of potentially challenged at 140lbs but I've had to base on the weight he did fight at. I hope he looks back happily on his Career, I still remember the Eggington fight. Will have to watch that one back again.
No, both Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn would have been happier if Frankie had fought at Light Welter. When he teamed up with Malcolm Melvin as his trainer, the initial goal was to get down to 10 stone as Malcolm had done during his career. Frankie always insisted to everyone he couldn't get down a weight but it was simply his lifestyle. When he missed the check weight for the Lejerraga fight Malcolm blew his stack and left him to go to Spain on his own. BCB's Paul Mann went over and worked his corner more out of pity than for a payday. Typical Frankie. All he had to do was toe the line but he was 8lbs over on the Sunday before the fight.
At pro level you pretty much need something to keep opponents off you. Bit different to a three round fight with headgear where you can keep on the move. Even guys like mayweather have enough power and accuracy to keep guys off them when needed. Gavin never had the power to hit the top level. Great amatuer....just not a great style to transition in the pro,s. Feel hes treated harshly to an extent...fantastic talent in the amatuers....but was stuck between a rock and hard place in the pro,s. Building the things needed in the pro game would have negated what made him great in the amatuers. Had to get physically stronger....but it would have slowed him down and negated the style that made him great in the amatuers. Boy needs to stop listening to the criticism and be proud of his achievements.
I don’t think it was weight with the Olympics mate, I think that’s what they put forward but there were rumours he wouldn’t have passed a drugs test
I think with more dedication he would’ve been in a lighter weight, 147 an he was always going to be bullied. Really he should’ve been a lightweight for a good portion of his career and eased in to 140 with age an maturity towards the later part..Jumping up weights when he had no business imo not growing properly with hard work, just no conditioning. One of his last fights his chief trainer bailed on him, wouldn’t do his corner, just a mess really his career
He was paid for to much to soon On thr back of being a nearly olympian F w a n k wont be handing out a contract like that out any yime soon On the back of potential Potential aint no good with out dedication
Totally agree about the weight. Just looking over his career there...even with the discipline tho i still dont think he,d have got to the very top regardless. Think his first six fights against cannon fodder for his level...fighting around 142/143 lbs. They we,re generally taking him rounds. Won one on points 6 rounds. 3 he finished in the last round. These guys shouldn,t really be taking him the rounds they did. Just not a great style to transition into the pro,s with. They,d have been better trying to completely change his game moving into the pro,s the problem is he,d have lost some of what made him a great amatuer. He was never really a gifted athlete. Partly down to discipline but probably partly down to genetics as well. Great technical fighter tho. Can be proud of his career even if it never went as far as people thought it would. Could have been more dedicated...i bet he actually did work hard tho...just unlucky his style isnt really suited for the pro game. They should have made big changes to him early in his pro career. He never really learned to mix it up. Plus they never really gave him the physical tools to do it. Things you pretty much need in the pro game regardless how technically good you are.
I agree with all of it really, yes your right. I seen an interview with him a good while back, he was shaking in it, could be wrong but it looked drink related
Tom Stalker is another who jumps to mind, getting knocked around the ring by Masher Dodd. Some fighters just don’t transition very well from the amateurs to the pro’s. He can no doubt provide some quality technical sparring though.
He reminds me of the type of fighter who needed to stay away from so called friends and think of himself more, but what do I know.
