While the main UK boxing event this weekend promises for entertainment, the Sam Eggington vs Frankie Gavin undercard will serve up to the rest of the UK some of Birmingham’s most exciting local fighters.
Here’s all the info on the event time, TV channel and more. 5 undercard contests will be fought over belts, ranging from the Midlands Area title to the WBC International belt.
To top a fantastic undercard billing, Anthony Ogogo returns in his toughest professional fight with Midlands Fighter of the Year, Craig Cunningham.
Cunningham 16-1(3KO’s) has already served up two career best performances.
He defended the Midlands Area Middleweight strap with a stunning one punch knockout of durable Ryan ‘Tank’ Aston in 6 rounds back in May, before squeaking by Midlands Area Light Middleweight boss Jason Welborn (PTS 10) just two months later in another small-hall classic.
Cunningham also holds a points win on the road over Prince Davis – a slick and very capable boxer. While his solitary defeat came in 2015’s Prizefighter – losing to eventual winner Tom Doran (UD 3).
(Hat tip SmoothFlow Boxing 2 YouTube account):
Ogogo 11-0(7KO’s) has been curtailed with injuries since turning over in 2013 – following a Bronze medal at the 2012 Olympic Games.
After nearly a year out of the ring, Ogogo returned in May of this year, and is entering his 4th contest in 5 months. So, activity will not be a problem going into this one, but none of those opponents could extend Ogogo past round 3.
Cunningham must drag Anthony into deep waters if he is to be successful tomorrow night, but despite still having a bright future ahead of him at British level, the feeling is that Ogogo has just too many advantages in too many departments.
For Ogogo it is all about getting through this contest unscathed, but he will certainly feel that he has been in a fight.
On a side note, rumour has it Irish rival Spike O’Sullivan will be in attendance this Saturday and is planning another one of these crazy mankini stunts.
(Ogogo fighting earlier this summer – hat tip to DaveyBoy EssexUk YouTube channel):
In spite of his toughness, Cunningham will do well to hear the final bell in his first 12 round contest, as Ogogo gradually breaks him down in an entertaining affair.
Marcus Ffrench – better known as ‘Ffrenchy’ – became well known to Sky Sports viewers when he spectacularly ended his Midlands Area Lightweight contest with Michael Rooney with a one-punch KO in the opening round in March.
Ffrench 13-2(3KO’s) seems to have settled into the Lightweight division after an unsuccessful attempt to win the Midlands Area Super Lightweight title – lost to Calum Cooper (PTS 10) marginally in a fight of the year candidate.
A defeat to Ismail Anwar (PTS 8) was a stumbling block, but Anwar’s record is far from befitting his actual boxing talents.
Now in confident mood he takes on another fighter on a hot streak. Robbie Barrett 12-2-1(1KO) is coming fresh off a first career stoppage win – halting Adam Kettleborough in 6.
The Central Area Lightweight champion has suffered defeats at the hands of Anwar and Andy Harris – both on points.
Both are aggressive fighters, and should serve up a treat for the vacant English title. But with the home-crowd behind him, Ffrench should have enough to spur him to a stoppage win in the second half of the contest.
Just a week shy of victory in Liverpool, Paul Economides 20-5(4KO’s) steps up to replace Gamal Yafai in a contest with Birmingham’s Sean Davis 10-0.
Economides has mixed at a good level, and following his contest last week, should be in good shape – although he is moving down in weight, so keep a close eye on this one at the weigh in.
But it has been Davis that has had the time to prepare for a 12-round contest, and you can be sure he fancies his chances far more against an inconsistent Economides than against the rising talent of Yafai.
Davis has a points win over Jason Booth, and his relentless style should be too much for Economides.
If Paul is feeling the pace early then he could be pulled out around the 8th round mark, otherwise he should see it out to the final bell, only to lose by 4 or 5 rounds on the cards.
A fascinating rematch takes place with the English Super Flyweight title up for grabs, as Don Broadhurst and Louis Norman should bring the crowd to their feet early in this East vs West Midlands clash.
Both felt they won the first contest in May 2014, but it has been Norman the far more active since the bout.
Norman 11-2-1(2KO’s) has faced two of the brightest young fighters in the Flyweight division, going the distance with both Charlie Edwards and Andrew Selby in two belting contests.
Meanwhile Broadhurst 17-3-1(4KO’s) has returned from a two-year hiatus to win on points in June.
The pair can slug it out again over 10 rounds, but this time the fresher Norman can use his recent experiences to his advantage and win on points.
Andy Keates 11-4(1KO) has lost back-to-back English Lightweight title fights – Kevin Hooper (MD 10) and Ohara Davies (KO 4). But he still holds the Midlands Area Super Lightweight title which he will defend on Saturday night.
Keates moved up in weight to stun Luke Paddock (PTS 10) that night at the Banks’ Stadium, but he must take another unbeaten record if he is to win his maiden defence.
Jordan Cooke 9-0(3KO’s) is developing nicely, with stoppages of Ismail Anwar (TKO 2) and Lee Connelly (TKO 4), as well as a points triumph over Chris Adaway.
Keates is very capable at this level, but Cooke looks set to move swiftly beyond it – with the possibility of an exciting match-up with Paddock next year.
Cooke will find his rhythm early and Keates may be forced into another stoppage defeat sometime in the middle rounds. Although a points win for Cooke would be the risk-free pick.
Another exciting Birmingham prospect to keep a keen eye on, will be Super Middleweight Lennox Clarke 13-0(6KO’s).
Clarke holds multiple first round triumphs – most impressively against Richard Horton.
If motivated enough, Clarke could force a very impressive stoppage over the durable Adam Jones 6-17-4(1KO), but that would be a tough ask over 6 rounds.
That completes the full Sam Eggington vs Frankie Gavin undercard this weekend.
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