Four years in the making - Brook v Gavin
Fighting Kell Brook was something that was first put to Birmingham's Frankie Gavin in a Black Country Italian restaurant four years ago.
Gavin was part of a press call to the Bellagio Ristorante Italiano on Seagar Street in West Bromwich at the time,
He was promoting a fight with former British champion Young Mutley, of West Bromwich, that would take place at the O2 Arena in London.
They boxed on the under-card of Frank Warren's May bill where, in the main event, George Groves sensationally defeated James DeGale again.
Gavin eased to a wide points win in his ninth pro contest, claiming the WBO Inter-Continental title to add to his first belt, the Irish crown.
Brook had been stripped of the WBO strap so Gavin could box for it and, having just left Frank Warren to join Matchroom Sport, wasn't happy.
He offered to defend as the champion against Gavin, knowing full well there was no way Warren or Eddie Hearn would ever agree to the fight.
Oh the irony when, out of nowhere, Gavin left Warren to sign with Hearn this year and soon landed a full IBF world title shot against now-champion Brook. In another twist, it's back at the O2.
The bout seemed an outlandish prospect back then and, to a critical band of boxing fans, it's just as big a mis-match now. Some bookies will give you 8-1 for Gavin.
But 'Funtime Frankie' is the most confident he can pull off an upset. He knows he has the skills to make the best in the world look stupid.
An elusive a southpaw as they come when he's firing on all cylinders, there's a chance he could leave Brook punching thin air for 12 rounds.
He's been written off for one defeat in 23 paid outings, a split decision points loss against a top-class European champion in Leonard Bundu.
It's a rarity, but Gavin is happy to play the under-dog and let people under-estimate him. Clearly, in this sport, there's a first time for everything.
He said: "I've got nothing to lose. If I win, I'm a world champion, which is all I have ever cared about. If I lose, I'm still where I am now. And, on my day, I can deal with anyone.
"I think I've got the style to beat him, I really do. Technically, I'm the best he has been in with. He's never been in with a southpaw like me.
"I rate Kell and I'm grateful for the opportunity, but I fancy it. He's not the most stylish, but he's rough and ready and he's a nightmare.
"My fight with Bundu was very close, but people also forget that Kell's title win over Shawn Porter was pretty tight as well.
"If those fights had gone the other way, as they easily could have, I would be the favourite for this fight. That's how little there is in it between us."
It's almost common knowledge that the only reason Gavin was offered the fight was because Amir Khan turned it down, opting to take on Chris Algeri instead tomorrow night.
[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text="Do you think Frankie Gavin has a chance against Kell Brook?" button="Log in and start commenting"]
Matchroom had their heart set on an all-British summer blockbuster, after the record-breaking success of last summer's rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves.
Gavin probably knows he's been set up for a fall and doesn't care. A smart operator, he was going to get a world title shot anyway he could get it.
And there's every chance Brook will under-estimate him, as much as Khan has done with him. The latter thinks there's three levels between the trio.
It's now or never for Gavin. In damaging defeat, he might well find himself in the ring with Stourbridge's Sam Eggington for the British title before the year is out.
But, if he wins, he makes his own piece of James DeGale-type history as the first Brit to win world amateur and professional titles. And it's not as unlikely as you may think.
