Express & Star

Frankie Gavin matched for big Brummie bill

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Tickets have gone on sale for the Sky Sports bill in Birmingham where hometown hero Frankie Gavin could take a step towards Kell Brook's IBF world title.

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The British and Commonwealth champion signed with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing last month after leaving Frank Warren's stewardship,

writes Craig Birch.

The 29-year-old was announced days later as the top of the bill for Saturday May 9 - Matchroom's first show in the second city for nearly 23 years.

And 'Funtime Frankie' – still England's only ever world amateur title winner – was today matched with Chris van Heerden for the South African's IBF International belt.

It was hoped European boss Gianluca Branco could be enticed to defend the crown that caused Gavin's only-ever pro defeat, but the Italian appears to have dug his heels in.

Likewise, van Heerden has only ever been beaten once and has held the organisation's top title, beating Englishman Matthew Hatton in one defence.

It's a definite scalp on offer for Gavin, who could end up bypassing the EBU scene as he looks towards his ultimate goal of the world stage.

He said: "It's a massive fight for me and a huge one for my first big night in Birmingham.

"Fighting in my own city means so much to me and now I am going to do so in a massive fight, as the headliner of a great bill.

"It's time to get my profile up, get happy, get winning, looking good again and getting on the path to a world title."

Fellow Brummies Matthew Mackin and the Yafai brothers have also been confirmed for the under-card, along with Stourbridge's Sam Eggington.

'Sam the Man' – the Midlands champion at Gavin's weight – must first negotiate a shot at WBC International Silver titlist Shayne Singleton at the Hull Ice Arena on March 7.

Gavin has a prior engagement, too, with an appearance booked on the supporting cast as Brook makes his first defence of that IBF world title that he so covets on March 28.

His Commonwealth belt could be put-for-grabs to get him a 12-round fight, which he has indicated he would then give up for Eggington to box for it in Birmingham should he be successful.

The general public can buy tickets as of first thing this morning priced at £40, £60 and £100 from www.barclaycardarena.com.

VIP tickets costing £150 have been made exclusively available at www.matchroomboxing.com.