Last call for Bundu as Gavin vows to shine

The two will go toe-to-toe for 12 rounds at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, live on BoxNation, for the EBU welterweight belt.

It's been seven years since the Civic last hosted a European title tussle, Colin Lynes beating Young Mutley for the organisation's light welter crown.

Birmingham's Gavin believes he can make a statement to Europe and the world if he can dethrone fighting champion Bundu.

The Italian veteran, 39, makes his sixth defence of the belt, but is adamant he will either win and vacate or lose with no rematch.

Gavin, Britain's only-ever world amateur champion, has already claimed a Lonsdale belt outright and won the Commonwealth title.

Now the 28-year-old has got Bundu in his sights, but it's refreshingly free from all the needle and trash talk of grudge matches.

Gavin said: "I don't like that stuff, it just puts more pressure on you. We are both respectable family men putting it all on the line.

"We will do our job, go about our business tonight and then shake hands. I have learned what I need to and I am ready now.

"I have been in with survivors and, if someone comes to fight, that's when I hit them harder. I am confident of winning.

"I think this is a better fight than European level, so it's time to step up and I prove I am above that before I move on.

"He comes forward a lot more, but I am much harder to hit and I don't think he's been in with anyone like me before.

"He knows he can't lose this and that might make him think he will. I am 28 so, whatever happens, I can come back.

"I boxed 70 amateur internationals, I have come across every style there is and fought better opponents than him."

There nowhere else for Bundu to go with his crown after tonight, with the target a world title crack before retirement.

The switch-hitter is planning to outwork Gavin in a battle of the southpaws, having done an 'English Job' on Lee Purdy.

Bundu put Purdy's lights out by stoppage with a right hook, during the final round of December's last defence in London.

He said: "Any way it goes, this will be my past fight for the European title. Losing is not an option, I can't make a mistake.

"I know all of the fans will be cheering for Frankie, but I am confident in myself and I will look to put the pressure on him.

"He's a good fighter, he's probably the best boxer I have ever met in the ring, but I feel sharp myself despite my age.

"I am older, yes, but that doesn't matter to me because I feel just like I did 10 years ago and yet still have the experience.

"You can see by my record that I am not that hard a hitter, I come to go 12 rounds of good boxing and try to win.

"Going to the points would be riskier for me, as I am in the guy's backyard. If it ends before that, it would be better."

Bundu's reputation as a worthy European title holder is established, whatever happens in the ring with Gavin tonight.

But he's also gambling with the future prospect of a final eliminator, for the IBF world title against Ionut Dan Ion.

He said: "I have never turned down an interesting major fight, I could have vacated and still stayed at No 3 with the IBF.

"It's just about waiting for Kell Brook to leave the No 1 spot and then I can have a final eliminator, so this is a big risk.

"I would get more visibility if I can beat Frankie, I came here to fight Purdy for that same reason and it turned out well.

"I thought, after that, I would get the chance to do something better, like going to America for a world title shot."