Wednesday 13 June 2018 14:47, UK
Frankie Gavin has welcomed a domestic clash with Josh Kelly and believes he would inflict a first humbling defeat on his welterweight rival.
The Birmingham man will be keeping a close eye on Kelly, who challenges Kris George for the Commonwealth title this Saturday night in Newcastle, live on Sky Sports.
Gavin says he was contacted about Kelly in the past, although the fight did not materialise, and remains keen on a showdown with the Sunderland star.
"I was supposed to fight Josh Kelly this weekend," Gavin told Sky Sports. "Eddie [Hearn] sent me an offer. I accepted and then I never heard back. Obviously Josh and his team must have turned it down?
"He's very good, but I'm not going to be there so he can do all that angle stuff, like he's been doing to these people so far, landing seven hooks.
"Listen he's good, there's no doubt about it. I rate him, he's a top kid, but to offer me the bout and not to hear anything back.
"It can't be from Eddie's point of view, because Eddie offered it to me, and I accepted. It's got to have been from their team?"
Both boxers were members of Great Britain's amateur squad as Kelly competed at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, while Gavin won a gold medal at the 2007 World Championships and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Gavin is due to challenge Kerman Lejarraga for the European belt in November, but could even consider a fight against Kelly in September.
Asked about his advantages, Gavin said: "Experience, I think I'm a better boxer than him.
"He's got all those skills, he looks flashy, but when he stepped up in the amateurs he got outboxed. I think I would outbox him.
I've seen things that I thought were good in him, but nothing I thought special, nothing I thought woah, I can't cope with this kid.
"I sparred him a few years back when I was just coming back into camp. I've seen things that I thought were good in him, but nothing I thought special, nothing I thought woah, I can't cope with this kid.
"Down at the right weight, in shape, I think I could beat him. It can happen in September, if the money is right.
"Realistically the European is the main one for me now.
"Win or lose against Lejarraga, I'm still up for the fight."
Lewis Ritson against Paul Hyland Jr and Josh Kelly versus Kris George is on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Saturday night.
