GAVIN Gwynne remains confident that he will get the chance to fight for his first professional title before the year is out.

St Joseph’s-trained Gwynne and Cardiff’s Henry Janes were due to contest the vacant Welsh lightweight strap in the former’s hometown of Merthyr Tydfil tomorrow.

However, Gwynne is now facing durable journeyman Fonz Alexander over eight rounds after Janes picked up an injury in training.

Gwynne will still headline Sanigar Events’ Land of the Dragons show, which also features St Joes stablemate and 2012 Olympic silver medallist Fred Evans and Tredegar’s Ricky Rowlands.

The 27-year-old Gwynne is “gutted” not to be fighting for the Welsh belt this weekend as it would have given him an opportunity to take some silverware home to four-month-old son Arlo.

Arlo hadn’t been born when his dad fought last, a comfortable points defeat of another journeyman, Ibrar Riyaz, that took his unblemished record to six wins.

“I was supposed to be fighting Henry Janes for the Welsh title over 10 rounds but he pulled out due to an injury so now I’ve got an eight-round contest,” said Gwynne.

“I was buzzing when I found out I’d be going for my first professional title.

“We’d just had the baby as well so I thought it would be nice to bring the belt home to my son, and I’d be on the title ladder as well.

“I am gutted not to be fighting for it because I’ve been training for 12 weeks and we had a game plan all set.

“It would have been a good fight as well because I know Henry comes and gives it his all, he’s always in action-packed fights, and it was for the Welsh title.

“It wasn’t to be but hopefully we’ll get it on by Christmas. I’d have a week off following this fight and then go straight back into the gym.

“I’m still headlining a show in my hometown this weekend. That’s one of those things you want to do when you’re starting off, and it’s where I made my debut as well.”

Arlo won’t be in attendance at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre but Gwynne’s girlfriend Louise will be after missing the Riyaz victory in Cardiff.

The couple aren’t keen on Arlo following in his dad’s footsteps and forging a career in the fight game, while Gwynne is loving fatherhood.

“Neither of us want him to box,” he added. “It’s a hard sport and I’d rather him play football or rugby.

“He’s brilliant. He’s smiling now and chuckling to himself, it’s awesome.

“Louise has been brilliant and a lot of the credit goes to her because I only see her two or three hours a day.

“By the time I get home I want food and then bed because I’m getting up at five in the morning to go for a run.

“It’s really tough, more mentally than anything, because I don’t get to see him growing up, but hopefully in time it will be worth it and he’ll be proud of me.”

*Gwynne would like to thank the following for their support: Ben Scott at Tastebuddies, Dragon Car Sales, Capital Cabs, Demon Shield, Acorn Travel, Phill Whaley and Michael Perry.