Frankie’s Going For Gold in Melbourne
By Simon Cole

Birmingham Boxing starlet Frankie Gavin believes he can go all the way when he represents England in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next month.
Teenager Gavin, who trains at the Hall Green Gym in Birmingham, is one of two boxers from the City taking part Melbourne and he fully believes he has the ability to fulfil the high expectations.
"I know I'm good enough to win it," a confident Gavin told The Harp. "Training has been going really well, I'm in good shape and I think I can go all the way, that has to be the aim."
While this may seem a bold statement, there isn’t so much as a hint of arrogance in the
youngster’s voice. In fact, he showed composure uncommon in someone so young when shrugging off the pressure caused by the burden of expectation. "If I
don't win a medal it's not the end
of the world. I'm only young and have time on my side but I
believe in my own ability."
Gavin is aware of the dangers of complacency though and knows he will come up against some tough opponents. He outlined Canadian fighter Adrian Diaconu, currently rated number 6 in the world rankings, and Indian Jal Bhagwan as his biggest threats. However, Gavin has already beaten both fighters - Diaconu twice - and will fancy his chances of doing so again.
And he can look for inspiration to Bolton's Amir Khan who famously won the Silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics two years ago. "The success of Khan makes me think 'Why can't I do it?' It gives me the belief that it's possible and that I can win gold at the Olympics," added Gavin.
But the Birmingham star feels it isn't only success that is bred from the Olympic success from the likes of Khan and Audley Harrison. Extra publicity has meant Gavin has already had five fights broadcast on television. "It raises the profile of amateur boxing. The amateurs now are more famous than the professionals in this country because of the success we (Great Britain) have had."
And Gavin is aiming to follow in the footsteps of Khan and make a name for himself in the 2008 Olypics in Beijing before turning to the professional ranks of the sport. "Ideally I would like to win the Olympics and then turn professional, but it all depends upon the funding I receive." But while Gavin realises the temptation to hang around in the amateur ranks to fight in the 2012 Olympics in London, he knows his career must come first. "It will be great for the sport and will raise the amateur profile further, but I don't want to hang around that long," Gavin added. “I want to be an established professional long before then.”
He is after all an ambitious man, and also a realist with a tightly screwed on head. But Gavin knows where he wants to go and feels he is on the right tracks, declaring: "Once I do turn pro, I want to be World Champion. You can't put a time scale on it right now as it's still early days and time is on my but I believe and got the talent to get there in the future."
Gavin already boasts plenty of success, despite his lack of years. Among other titles, he became the Youth Olympic Champion in the United States at the age of 17, already holds one Commonwealth title and has also won a senior ABA title.
And as he spends five hours a day trying working towards the Commonwealth Gold, Gavin knows he is in good hands in the Hall Green gym as he shared the credit for his Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) Most Improved Boxer award. "Tom Chainey and Michael Smith have been right behind me all the way and always encourage me. It's great for sport in the City of Birmingham having two boxers heading out there and hopefully it will get more people into boxing throughout the country."
The local surroundings of Hall Green will be swapped for Bulgaria mid-February as Gavin prepares with some warm up fights and more intense training. The Commonwealth Games await the starlet as Birmingham hopes he returns home with a gold medal around his neck.