June 28th. BKFC 77. Birmingham.
We’ve got one of the most interesting bare-knuckle debuts in recent memory — Frankie “Funtime” Gavin is stepping into the squared circle for the very first time… and I’m going against the grain on this one.
The homecoming hero vs the spoiler. The technician vs the brawler.
And trust me — this ain’t as straightforward as it looks on paper.
The Legacy of Frankie Gavin
You don’t have to explain who Frankie Gavin is to UK boxing fans.
•First Englishman to win World Amateur Championship Gold (2007)
•Commonwealth Games Gold medalist
•Former British and Commonwealth champion as a pro
•Challenged Kell Brook for the IBF world title in 2015
A smooth, slick southpaw with elite footwork and high-level IQ — Gavin wasalways a nightmare to fight. But that was seven years ago.
He hasn’t fought since 2018. And this isn’t a slow comeback. This is a head-first leap into bare-knuckle, a sport with no safety net.
Jack Dugdale – The Underdog No One Should Overlook
Now let’s talk about the man in the other corner — Jack Dugdale.
He might not have the gloved accolades, but in this game?
He’s two steps ahead.
•2-0 in bare-knuckle
•Fighting regularly
•Known for pressure, power, and a fearless style
Dugdale is no journeyman. He’s sharp, aggressive, and already battle-tested in the bare-knuckle format. While Frankie’s adapting to this world, Dugdale is already living in it.
He’s not turning up for the occasion. He’s turning up to ruin it
The Matchup – Chaos vs Control
This is your classic stylistic clash.
Frankie Gavin will try to control range, pick his shots, and avoid the trenches. He’s slick enough to do it — in gloves. But bare-knuckle is a different animal.
There’s no time to warm into a fight. No soft jabs or scoring shots.
One clean punch changes the entire outcome. One clinch can cut you open.
And that’s exactly where Dugdale wants this fight. Up close. Ugly. Violent.
The longer this stays technical, the more Gavin settles in. But the quicker it turns into a shootout, the more Dugdale takes over.
Pressure, Rust, and Reality
Frankie’s fighting at home in Birmingham. The crowd will be behind him. But that brings expectation, and pressure like no other.
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room — ring rust is real.
Seven years out, no fights, no real damage taken, no adrenaline dumps.
Now throw him into a bare-knuckle scrap against a live dog? That’s a risk.
Dugdale’s sharp, confident, and already comfortable under this rule set.
And more importantly — he’s got nothing to lose.
Official Prediction By Josh Clare
Here it is.
I know this won’t be the popular call.
I know Frankie’s the name, the technician, the favourite.
But this is bare-knuckle, not gloved boxing.
Prediction: Jack Dugdale by KO. Early. Possibly inside the first 60 seconds.
Dugdale has the momentum, the bare-knuckle experience, and the freedom to swing with no fear. I think he jumps on Frankie early and lands something big before the former champ finds his rhythm.
We’ll find out soon enough — and I could be wrong.Nothing but respect to Frankie but i do feel jack is being overlooked by alot of people
But I’m standing on it 
