When going from the amateur scene into the professional boxing world Frankie was under a lot of pressure to succeed. Not just from his peers but from himself, and despite not winning a world championship in the pro ranks, the Birmingham man is one of the few boxers in the modern day era to hold the Lonsdale belt outright. An achievement that should not be undervalued.
Operating at 147lbs in the welterweight category Frankie also won the commonwealth, WBO intercontinental and an Irish Union title qualifying for the latter through his parents. He boxed for the coveted EBU European title twice and came up short against Kell Brook in their world championship contest in 2015.
Speaking with FullForceCombat at the BKFC 77 press conference he said “It’s just starting to get real, I’ve got the buzz back, before when I was boxing I put mad pressure on myself as everybody was telling me you’re one of the best in the world, if not the best. I’m a little bit older now so I’m enjoying it, back in the gym everyday, I’m really enjoying life again.”
Seven years away from the ring but hungry for more!
With it being seven years since he lasted competed we asked the former world title challenger if this fight in BKFC was a measuring stick and if what he wants to achieve something under the the BKFC banner:
“Yeah, I want to achieve something, I’m not just here for the one fight, obviously the money was good so that was a massive factor I’ve got kids and everything but just the fact I’ll be back in that ring. You already know when you’ve been put in front of them lights in the big arenas about the buzz you get and that’s what I want back, I was asked today[BKFC 77 press conference] when do I want to go on, so I said near the end, I’ll have that big buzz, I’ll see my fans, friends and family and even his fans cheering against me. I want all that again, I want all that again and to go out there and have a scrap!”
Facing an experienced bare knuckle fighter in Jack Dugdale.
“I’ve seen a bit of him, Jack Dugdale, I think he’s had about six BK fights, technically he’s not very good but he’s game! I think looking at him he doesn’t know what he’s doing, so how will I know what he’s doing? So I’m just gonna go out there and do what I do, I’m very hard to hit for the best pros in the world, so I should be able to make it hard for him.”
Believing in his boxing ability that he’s carried throughout his life he aims to use his skills and make it difficult for Dugdale with his prowess and movement. “I’m also very accurate, I hit hard enough, I knocked 15 of 26 pro fighters out, and people say I don’t punch, but now I’m a bit older and I’m about a stone heavier, I feel I hit harder.”
Will Frankie’s boxing skills pay off in the BKFC circle?
“I won’t be going out there to have a tear up, I don’t want to be getting cuts, if it happens then it happens, I’m tough, I’m game and I have shown that in the past but hopefully I won’t have to go to that and box his head off. I’ll show him things he’s never seen because I guarantee he’s never been in with anyone as good as me not in sparring not in fighting, nothing!”
Frankie may well have a case for his boxing skills to get him through but in all honesty all skills can go out of the window in bare knuckle fighting. He is aware that may happen and is more than relishing the opportunity to fight in front of his home crowd, the same city he made his amateur and professional boxing debuts.
Can Frankie Gavin box his way around Jack Dugdale or will it end up in a tear up that the debutant is looking to avoid? Read Josh’s thoughts and prediction via the link below!
https://bareknucklenewsuk.co.uk/2025/06/24/frankie-gavin-vs-jack-dugdale-bkfc-77-joshs-prediction/
Tune in on Saturday. BKFC 77 Tierney vs Christie. LIVE on DAZN from 7pm.
