Frankie Gavin hates rival Woodhouse

Birmingham's Frankie Gavin gets set for the 'Battle of the Blues' by admitting he hates Curtis Woodhouse - who has vowed to knock him out in six rounds.

'Funtime' Frankie, an ardent Birmingham City fan, takes on the former Blues footballer in a defence of his WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title, on the big Sky Sports bill at Liverpool's Echo Arena tonight.

The two were originally supposed to meet at Birmingham's LG Arena last September, but a stress facture of the hand ruled out Woodhouse.

Gavin instead stopped Michael Kelly for the Irish belt, before going on to halt Michael Lomax in a British title eliminator and outpoint West Bromwich's Young Mutley for his current WBA Inter-Continental crown.

Only Mutley and Peter McDonagh - who beat Woodhouse last October - have ever gone the distance with Gavin, who has 10 wins as a pro.

Britain's first world amateur champion has been all business so far but he insists his feud with Woodhouse has become personal.

The two will come to blows tonight and Gavin has vowed to retire the 31-year-old.

He said: "With Mutley, there was a few words but it wasn't genuine hate, we spoke when we saw each other and we got on alright.

"With Woodhouse, I do hate him, I think he's an idiot and it's not if he gets drubbed, it's when.

"Maybe this is the last chance saloon for him, he says he won't retire if he loses but, in the fashion he's going to lose, I think he will.

"He says he can punch but he can't bang as much as Mutley, and I was fine with him.

"How is he going to win? If he comes out swinging, I will make him miss.

"He's going to really regret ever calling me out."

Woodhouse is adamant that won't happen and sees the fight as an opportunity to make his name as the first man to beat Gavin in a pro ring.

The Beverley-born brawler has only tasted defeat twice himself and has earned a reputation as a tough, robust, come forward fighter.

According to him, Gavin hasn't got the power to take him out but, despite the bad blood between them, Woodhouse insists there is also respect.

He said: "Today will be the day that I gatecrash the party.

"By taking on Frankie Gavin and beating him, people will have no choice but to take me seriously.

"Nobody asks to fight Frankie Gavin, but I want this fight and, come round six, he will know I am a good fighter, when he's getting knocked out.

"I wasn't expecting to be the favourite and, no matter what we say to each other, I respect what Frankie Gavin has done in the ring.

"I wouldn't take the fight if I thought I couldn't win. What other reasons would there be? Money? Money is not an issue.

"He's not going to hit me and I am going to think 'oh my god, I am in there with Frankie Gavin.'

"He can't knock me out, because he can't punch."