GAVIN Gwynne was ready to welcome James Tennyson to his back yard for a British lightweight title showdown but instead the pair will now fight in Eddie Hearn's garden.
The vacant Lonsdale Belt will be on the line at the Matchroom Boxing promoter's mansion in Essex on Saturday, August 1.
The 30-year-old was on the undercard for St Joseph's stablemate Lee Selby's fight against George Kambosos at Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena in May.
"He's coming into my back yard and I'm not going to let him beat me in front of my own fans," said Gwynne when the bout with the Northern Irishman was announced in March.
That event was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and Selby will now fight the Australian in the capital this autumn, but Gwynne won't have to wait that long to return to the ring.
He has been given a slot for Hearn's Fight Camp, which will see boxers regularly tested for Covid-19 before they fight behind closed doors at Matchroom's headquarters.
"It will be strange because the atmosphere is massively important in boxing," said Gwynne's trainer Tony Borg.
"Fortunately Gavin is one of those fighters who just loves to fight, he can't wait to get in there and have a go.
"Other fighters might find it very difficult but Gavin doesn't need the crowd to push him – he has got his young son Arlo who is his inspiration."
Gwynne, from Nelson, will have a shot at the British title for the second time after losing on points to fellow Welshman Joe Cordina last August.
He responded to that setback with a first-round knockout of Abdon Cesar to improve his record to 12-1 and Borg is now spearheading preparations to notch up win number 13.
"We are in touch every day," said the trainer about his top fighters. "Two or three times a week we do a video session and we can do bag work sessions, circuits, warm up and warm down. We do it all online.
"Gavin's fight will be on us soon and he is back in full training, so I am in the process of sorting out some sparring in England, because they can spar and we are not allowed to in Wales.
"We've got a date for the fight now and have to go for it. Gavin gave a great account of himself when it went to the wire against Cordina, who started a little bit quicker.
"Tennyson is a different prospect altogether – he is a very, very heavy hitter but isn't as silky as Cordina. He is a tough guy but Gavin has got a great chance of winning the title."
Belfast's Tennyson (26-3) is a stoppage specialist and 'The Assassin' is relishing the chance to show what he can do for the first time since beating Blackwood's Craig Evans last November.
"With how things are I would fight behind closed doors not a problem," said Tennyson. "I've seen the venue for Fight Camp at Matchroom HQ and it looks great.
"When you fight on the big shows early it's usually empty barring your own support so it wouldn't make much difference.
"Like a lot of fighters, I have itchy knuckles and have plans of becoming a world champion – because of that I need to get this fight, win, and then kick on.
"This will be my first British title win, I'm really looking forward to it and it will be a great fight against Gavin Gwynne."
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