Local bragging rights on the line as Gavin and Eggington collide in Birmingham

Frankie Gavin v Sam Eggington

Gavin v Eggington tips for Birmingham brawl

Local Birmingham bragging rights are on the line this weekend when Frankie Gavin and Sam Eggington collide at the Barclaycard Arena.

The stakes are high going into this local derby, with the eventual loser’s career at the top level set to take a massive blow, adding further fuel to what is already set to be a fiery match-up on Saturday night.

Controversially, the vacant WBC international welterweight title will no longer be up for grabs for Gavin (23-2, 14 KOs), though, after he was involved in weight issues during in the build-up.

Gavin and Eggington will be battling it out for Birmingham bragging rights.

Gavin fought for a world title in May last year when contesting IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook, but was stopped in the sixth round in London, before waiting over a year to bounce back with a knockout win over Ivo Gogosevic.

The 31-year-old and his latest challenger Eggignton (18-3, 10 KOs) were supposed to meet a year ago for the latter’s then British and Commonwealth belts, but Gavin was forced to withdraw due to sustaining a foot injury.

Though, the pair will finally go toe-to-toe on home soil this weekend and it’s ‘Funtime’ Gavin that enters as the favourite for success, with the West Midlands southpaw taking to the ring at 8/1 with Coral for a stoppage victory over his local rival.

Gavin promises to KO Eggington

Eggington, known as ‘the Savage’, has since lost his previous straps to an impressive Bradley Skeete in March, who Gavin has beaten back in 2014, but the 23-year-old is 10/3 to follow up his most recent KO of Daza Usher with another stoppage on Saturday.

Gavin was stopped by Brook in their world title fight last year.

With promoter Eddie Hearn having earlier admitted that there could be no way back to the top level for the eventual loser, there’s a lot more than pride and the international title on the line, and Gavin has promised to inflict such a scenario on Eggington by KO.

“I beat Sam every day of the week,” declared a confident Gavin, who is odds-on 10/11 for a decision triumph. “We know what Sam is going to do, he’s going to come and fight because he can’t sit off me, so it’s up to me to keep him off me, box his head off and land my big shots.

“He’s not the brightest, you can tell that by listening to him, but he’s game and he’s got grit, determination and gives it 100 per cent, so this is going to be a tough fight. He’s not got the best boxing IQ. I will say what I want about him though because I am going to knock him out.

“I’m going to stop him…”

“Hearing that he’s more spiteful in the gym since losing to Skeete is just nonsense. You know what you are going to get with Sam, he’s not going to come out and be technical; he’s just going to come forward.

In this clash of styles, who will you be backing as part of our Gavin v Eggington tips?

“He’s technically poor and I am a lot harder to hit than Skeete, I am a smaller target and a southpaw. Even if he has improved, it’s not going to make any difference, I am better than him and I’m going to stop him.”

Boxing fans were left slightly perplexed earlier this year when Eggington emerged as a surprise possible opponent for welterweight world champion Danny Garcia, though the WBC title holder ultimately agreed to meet Samuel Vargas instead.

‘Savage’ hits back at Gavin

That news came on the back of an exciting two-year spell for Eggington (11/4 to prevail by decision), who has become an exciting fighter in the 147lbs division, and he is aiming to continue his story with success over fellow Brummie Gavin.

ONE DAY to go!! #BraggingRights pic.twitter.com/bVuGe2o4RP

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) October 21, 2016

“He’s always had a dig at the way that I box,” Eggington said of Gavin’s disrespect in the build-up to their bout. “Boxing is hard enough as it is without people trying to take digs at you in general. He has added more fuel to the fire, it’s given me a bit more oomph to do a job.”

Gavin, who in 2007 became the first British amateur to win a World Championships Gold medal, has only fought once in the last 15 months but will look to kickstart his career with success over Eggington, in what is set to be an exciting Birmingham battle this Saturday night.

Ogogo has endured a stuttering career since turning professional but will aim to get back on track this weekend.

The fight night in Birmingham also features an interesting match-up between 2012 Olympic Bronze medal star Anthony Ogogo and home fighter Craig Cunningham, as they contest for the vacant WBC international middleweight title.

Ogogo is 7/4 to earn a points win on his latest outing, with Ireland’s Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan potentially looming on the horizon, while home hope Cunningham is 11/2 to prevail.

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