Frankie Gavin has warned new British light-welterweight champion Ashley Theophane that his reign will be a short one. Gavin put in a punch-perfect display to halt Michael Lomax in seven rounds at Bethnal Green’s York Hall on Saturday, while Theopane lifted the British title with a points win over Lenny Daws at Wembley on the same night. And now Gavin is demanding a shot at Theophane – and says he’ll knock him out if he’s given one. “It doesn’t really matter who holds that British title, I feel I am ready for anyone,” said the 2007 Amateur World Champion..
“Congratulations to Theophane because he beat a good fighter in Daws to win that Lonsdale belt, but what would I have done to Daws.
“Theophane’s now got something that I want, and I am going to be coming after him big time to get it.
“I’ve seen his fights and he’s a class act. But I’ll beat him hands down if he step up to the plate and faces me.
“Hopefully my promoter Frank Warren can get me a British title fight within the next few months.
“James DeGale has got one already and I want that Lonsdale belt wrapped around my waist for keeps before the end of the year.”
Frank Warren added: “Frankie’s win on Saturday night showed he is ready for anyone in Britain.
“I’d make the fight with Theophane in a heart-beat. Frankie is a world class talent, not just a British-level talent.
“He’ll win the British title this year, but it will be just the first of many belts he is going to get in his career.”
Gavin, 25, moved to 9-0 with his win over Lomax, his eighth inside the distance.
Unbeaten Middleweight champ Darren Barker joins Matchroom Sport
London fighter targets World title shot in 2011
Darren Barker is aiming to fight for the World Middleweight title in 2011 after signing a promotional deal with Matchroom Sport.
The unbeaten 28 year-old had a frustrating year in 2010, with injury forcing him to pull out of defending his European and British belts against Matthew Macklin in September. Barker has set his sights on regaining the European title and wants to follow that with a world title shot as he returns to Sky Sports screens.
“I’m delighted to have joined Matchroom and it’s fantastic to be back on TV again – showcasing my skills on Sky Sports is where I want to be,” said Barker. “The plan is to have three fights this year – regain the European title, defend it and then get challenging for a world title before the end of the year.”
The former Commonwealth title holder returns to the ring for his 23rd fight, taking on Italian Domenico Spada for the EBU belt vacated by Macklin, with a likely date at the end of April. The Barnet fighter says he is itching to get back to boxing and is keen to draw a line under a difficult 2010 and focus on his three-fight plan.
“Last year was a nightmare really but you can’t look back, I’m very optimistic for the rest of 2011 and if it all goes to plan the way we want it to, then potentially I could be World Champion at the end of the year, that’s what it’s all about,” said Barker. “It’s a matter of taking each fight as it comes though and I’m concentrating 100 per cent on fighting Domenico Spada.”
Matchroom Sport’s managing director Eddie Hearn added: “We are delighted to welcome Darren Barker to the Matchroom Team. Darren is one of the boxing’s brightest young stars and has one of the biggest followings in the UK. It has been a frustrating period for him but now it’s all systems go to re-capture the European title he relinquished last year and get a shot at the World title before the end of 2011 – we know he has the ability to do the business and will be ensuring he gets there as quickly as possible.”
Ojuederie Pulls Out Of Owoh Showdown – Boyle Steps Up to The Plate On March 5th
The highly anticipated Cruiserweight clash between Toks Owoh and JJ Ojuederie, at the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Unleash The Fury’ super show at London’s York Hall on Saturday 5th March 2011, is off following Ojuederie pulling out, due to an injury sustained in training.
Stepping up to the plate, to replace the injured Ojuederie, is # 13 ranked Billy ‘The People’s Poet’ Boyle from Sheffield.
Former Paratrooper Boyle, who in 2009 unsuccessfully challenged Light Heavyweight supremo Nathan Cleverly for his Commonwealth crown, is likely to prove an even sterner test for the returning former World # 3 ranked and IBF Super Middleweight Inter-Continental title challenger from Chalk Farm.
On receiving the news that his replacement opponent for the 5th March is Billy Boyle a Toks said, “I don’t really know too much about Billy Boyle. I can say I have been around way before this guy.
I see his tape, I see the way he box and I’m just going to go in there and do what I know best, that’s boxing.
If it happens I take him out, I take him out, but the only thing I know to do best is to box. I’ve been doing that for twenty years now.
It’s gonna be a good fight.”
Toks Owoh versus Billy Boyle headlines the Steve Goodwin promoted ‘Unleash The Fury’ event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March 2011.
Main support for the Owoh-Boyle headliner features Ultrachem TKO Boxing Gym’s sensational London based Dutch Cruiserweight prospect Mitchell Balker in his third UK fight against Doncaster hard man John Anthony.
Co-main support sees Tottenham’s former championship challenger Michael Grant make his welcome return to the ring, after a year long sabbatical, in a six round Lightweight contest against a yet to be named opponent.
The Unleash The Fury undercard features some of London’s best upcoming talents and includes yet another Ultrachem TKO Gym fighter ‘Dynamo’ Daryl Setterfield against Birmingham’s Andrew ‘Paddy’ Patterson.
Minster. Kent Light Heavyweight Dan ‘Woody’ Woodgate gets his third outing against Retford’s Lee Nicholson and Waltham Abbey Light Welterweight Phil Gill looks to take his unbeaten run to ten against Aysham’s Scott Moises.
Luton Lightweight Michael ‘Chunky’ Devine makes his welcome return to the ring, following his coveted ‘0’ to Mark ‘The Flash’ Alexander last year, and will be looking to get back to winning ways against the highly experienced Daniel Thorpe.
Biggleswade Light Middleweight Jamie Boness will be looking to extend his unbeaten record against Guildford’s Louis Byrne and Woolwich Super Middleweight Eder Kurti faces Welsh banger Jamie Ambler.
Unbeaten, in twelve, Hackney Middleweight Wayne Alwan-Arab is set to face Tooting based Bulgarian Danny Dontchev.
Yet another of Johnny Eames’ Ultrachem TKO gym fighters, Caine Brodie, also features on the card against a yet to be named opponent.
Making their pro debuts at ‘Unleash The Fury’ are Harlesden Lightweight Met Sekiraqa, against Robin Deakin and former World Kick Boxing Champion, Llir Canolli, from Cosavo, against a yet to be named opponent.
Tickets for Unleash The Fury at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 5th March 2011 are on sale now – priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at The Ultrachem TKO Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA.