Birmingham’s ‘Funtime’ Frankie Gavin will take on IBF International Welterweight champion ‘The Heat’ Chris van Heerden on May 9 at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.
Gavin will top the bill in his home city, the first time he has boxed there since September 2010.
Boxers Records:
Frankie Gavin: 21-1, 13KOs
Chris Van Heerden: 22-1-1, 11KOs
Van Heerden, a 27 year old South African who now fights out of California and is trained in LA by Freddie Roach. is known to British fans for defeating Matthew Hatton in March 2013 in his then-hometown of Johannesburg, defending his IBO World title for the second time in the process. He is an ambitious fighter and has designs on progressing on the world stage himself and it will be a tough fight for Gavin.
“It’s a massive fight for me and a huge one for my first big night in Birmingham,” said Gavin.
“Fighting in Birmingham means so much to me and now I am going to do so in a massive fight as the headliner of a great bill. It’s time to get my profile up, get happy, get winning, looking good again and getting on the path to a World title.”
First up for Gavin though before he meets the South African visitor will be an appearance on the undercard of IBF World champion Kell Brook’s first title defence in Sheffield on March 28, and Gavin will have his eye on a future all British showdown with ‘The Special One’
Also appearing on the Birmingham bill will be Middleweight homeboy Matthew Macklin who boxes in Birmingham for the first time in almost five years while he looks to bounce back from the defeat to Jorge Sebastian Heiland recently. Also unbeaten Super Flyweight sensation Kal Yafai will be in title action on the card and his brother Gamal Yafai will continue his rise in the pro ranks too. Plus the impressive Stourbridge youngster Sam Eggington will be hoping for a major title bout on the bill should he beat Shayne Singleton in Hull on March 7
Chris Van Heeren – Former IBO world Champion
Next fight will be the biggest of my career This fight I believe will be a complete sell-out a fight the Fans asked for #StayTuned #Boxing
— Chris van Heerden (@TheHeat001) February 17, 2015
