Frankie Gavin sees an improved Jason Welborn
Frankie Gavin still believes Jason Welborn is a better fighter now than the man who challenged him for the British title three-and-a-half years ago.
The two have become chief sparring partners in recent weeks as they work towards their respective fight nights,
Rowley Regis' Welborn defends his Midlands super welterweight title against Craig Cunningham, at the Futsal International Arena in Birmingham, on Saturday July 16.
Brummie Gavin steps through the ropes for his ring return two weeks later in Leeds, having last challenged Kell Brook for the IBF world welterweight crown.
The 30-year-old welterweight is still the only Englishman to ever win a world amateur title and has claimed the Lonsdale and Commonwealth belts in the pro game.
Gavin and Welborn did battle at Walsall Town Hall in January 2013, headlining a BoxNation-televised bill in the champion's first defence.
Welborn came off second best to Gavin, who dropped him and then piled on the pressure before forcing the finish in the seventh round, on an evening where the elements nearly prevailed first.
Foes have since become friends and 'Funtime Frankie' will take a ringside seat, when he joins fight fans in his hometown to watch the battle for the belt with Cunningham.
And Gavin thinks the Oldbury-based challenger, another mate of his and fellow southpaw, will take on a superior boxer than the one he faced.
He said: "I know Jason can be a handful and it seems like he's improving to me. He's listened to everything his coaches have told him in camp.
"We've been sparring three times a week for the past month, he's been one of my main partners. We've got quite a lot in.
"He still punches hard and is very strong. He's a massive super welter and I told him all along welter is not the weight for him. I don't know why he ever dropped down.
"He's game and has a lot of heart, but that's not always enough. He has all the attributes of a champion and he's still learning. You never know what can happen in boxing.
"I know Craig really well, too, and I wish them both the best of luck. They are both top lads and I know it will be a great fight. I think whoever gets to dictate the pace will come out on top."
The two headline PJ Promotions' bill titled 'The Reckoning,' with Midlands middleweight titlist Cunningham dropping down a division.
He's attempting to follow up on his own title defence, a Fight of the Year contender with Dudley's Ryan Aston which he won by knockout in the sixth.
Welborn has never been beaten in a Midlands title fight, which got him the shot against Gavin after winning the area's welterweight belt outright.
The two-weight Midlands boss has been involved in five area title fights and won them all, with only Aston lasting the distance with him at super welter.
He'll add the 147lbs strap for keeps if he can defeat Cunningham, who will become a ruler in two divisions if he claim victory. Gavin has great memories of his fight with Welborn.
He added: "We've become good mates since then. If I was offered to box him now, I wouldn't want to, because I know him so well.
"I didn't know him then, so it didn't matter to me. I felt like I was coasting through and I'd done enough to start getting him out of there.
"It was probably one of my best nights as a pro and the atmosphere of headlining a Midlands show is always brilliant. It was a snowy night, they had been talking about cancelling at 12pm!
"I think we are both better fighters than when we fought, in different ways. I've matured more, I pick my shots more effectively and his boxing has come on, as well."
Birmingham's own Matt Windle has moved into the chief support slot on the under-card, after the withdrawal from the line-up of Tipton's Ricky Summers.
'Matt Man,' boxing's only professional poet, backs up words with actions in his first six-rounder. He takes on Derbyshire's Conar Blackshaw, after a war of words started on Twitter.
Fellow flyweight Brad Foster, from Lichfield, goes up against Bulgarian Stefan Slavchev, after watching him go the distance with former Commonwealth champion Don Broadhurst last month.
Midlands featherweight title challenger Paul Holt has been paired with the game Joe Beeden, while Bartley Green debutant Kane Baker will have his opponent confirmed early next week.
Tickets for the event are still on sale, priced at £35 and £50 ringside. Some VIP passes are available at £60. For more information, call promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
