Frankie Gavin to face Mate Hornyak at Civic
Frankie Gavin will box Hungarian Mate Hornyak as he looks to exorcise the demons of his European title defeat at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.
Birmingham's Gavin, who still holds the British welterweight crown, lost to abdicating EBU boss Leonard Bundu under the Civic lights last month, writes Craig Birch.
But 'Funtime Frankie' will get his chance to make it a winning return to the venue on Friday October 24, in an eight-round international tune-up against the young 'Long Rifle.'
The rangy Hornyak, just 19, travels to England for the first time with 12 wins from 16 on his record and has challenged for the WBO Youth title.
Gavin will tackle English champion Bradley Skeete for his next British title fight, at the ExCel Arena in London on Saturday November 29, so there's plenty for the 29-year-old to get his teeth stuck into.
As previously reported in the Express & Star, the Midlands light welterweight crown will be contested between Bloxwich's Luke Paddock and Calum Cooper in chief support.
Paddock gets his chance at dethroning the area ruler in his eighth professional contest, having already won a British Bronze Masters belt, against the game Brummie.
It could be a battle of wits as the skills of 'Cool Hand' are contrasted with a come-forward southpaw, Cooper defending for the second time after a belter with Marcus Ffrench in June.
A stacked undercard features four six-round contests involving home-town fighter Des Bowater, Tommy Langford, Craig Wilshee and Andrew Robinson.
Unbeaten super featherweight Bowater, from Wednesfield, boxes the distance for the second time but now over three minute rounds. He faces Paul Holt's conqueror Simas Volosinas.
Langford, a Devon-born middleweight based in Birmingham, is surely nearing his first title shot if he disposes of Gary Boulden for his 11th straight paid win.
Redditch's Robinson, a graduate of Lions Boxing Club in Dudley, warms up for a tough test against Frank Buglioni for the vacant WBO European super middleweight title on the big ExCel show.
Ultra-fit super middleweight Wilshee, from Swadlincote in Derbyshire, steps up to six rounds in just his fourth professional contest.
Walsall's Daniel Breeze completes the bill alongside Natty 'the Natural' Howell and Ryan Partridge, the latter duo from the pro section of Priory Park Boxing Club in Dudley.
Breeze is looking for his first stoppage after two land-slide point wins at welterweight, while Howell and Partridge take in their second outings.
Howell will look to break down durable Pole Robert Studzinski for his maiden TKO, while light middleweight compatriot Partridge made Ben Robinson retire after two rounds of his debut.
For more information and tickets, call the Civic box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
