IBF world welterweight champion Kell Brook is set to face Frankie Gavin after being unable to land a fight with WBC Silver welterweight champion Amir Khan.
The fight is scheduled to take place at London’s O2 Arena on May 30 against Britain’s only world amateur champion. In addition, Gavin, 29, is the BBBofC British welterweight champion.
Gavin was initially scheduled to fight Chris van Heerden for the IBF International welterweight title on May 9, but backed out of the fight to get his shot at Kell Brook. Just two weeks ago in an interview with BBC, Gavin described a fight with van Heerden as the biggest of his career.
“This could set my professional career alight. I’m going to win this fight, definitely,” Gavin said.
It matters no longer because Gavin will earn the biggest payday of his career for taking on Brook. Speaking with BBC, Gavin acknowledges that he is the underdog, but he knows he is capable of winning on May 30th.
“I’ve definitely got it in me to do it; I’m very confident Kell can be beaten and hopefully it’s someone with my skill who will do it.”
However, Gavin also admitted that he will have to perform like he has never before in the ring.
“I’m not stupid. I’m not delusional. I’m going to have to perform out of my skin if I’m to win,” said Gavin. “But, I’m going to be 100% ready.”
On March 28, Brook defended his IBF world welterweight title with a fourth-round stoppage of Romanian boxer Jo Jo Dan in Sheffield. It was his first fight since being brutally stabbed while on vacation in the Canary Islands.
Gavin was not Brook’s choice, and he knows that. Brook is undefeated, and his mindset is in refuse to lose mode.
“I feel like I’m unbeatable right now. Gavin isn’t going to be able to cope with my speed and power,” said Brook.
However, he still respects Gavin for having the courage to fight him.
“I respect Frankie for stepping up, he has called for this fight for a long time and after the IBF gave him a final eliminator against Tim Bradley, it made sense for him to take the challenge.”
Stylistically, this is a very intriguing fight. Kell Brook likes to fight from the outside and keep his opponents away with his movement, speed, and snappy punches. On the inside, Brook can get uncomfortable; as seen early against Shawn Porter, and Gavin is going to want to exploit that early. While not the fastest starter, Gavin is tough to hit and cuts off the ring effectively. On the other hand, Gavin tends to struggle against fighters with a style similar to his; that being articulate and defensive, and he has never faced a guy as strong as Brook.
Was Gavin’s performance against Leonard Bundu a year ago – he was floored in the sixth from a left to the body and cut in the seventh – a sign of what is to come on May 30th? We’ll have to wait and see. I think it’s going to be close, but if the fight comes down to a late knockdown; it won’t be a shocker.
