GAVIN Gwynne has his best chance of landing the British lightweight title at York Hall tonight after two previous failed attempts, according to the Commonwealth champion’s trainer Tony Borg.
Borg, who coaches the 31-year-old from Trelewis out of the St Joseph’s gym in Newport, is confident Gwynne can finally get the job done following defeats to Joe Cordina and James Tennyson.
Victory for Gwynne (14-2) over unbeaten Liverpudlian Luke Willis (11-0) would give him the vacant Lonsdale Belt and set-up a first defence against fellow Welshman Craig Woodruff.
After the retirement of former world featherweight champion Lee Selby, Gwynne is now the most experienced fighter in Borg’s St Joes stable.
And the trainer is hopeful Gwynne, who also puts his Commonwealth strap on the line in Bethnal Green, will bring another major belt back to the Newport gym.
“I think this is Gavin’s best chance of winning the British,” he said. “He’s so hungry for the title.
“He was certainly the away fighter when he fought Joe and was caught with some heavy shots against Tennyson.
“But Gavin bounced back from those and goes into this fight as a champion after defending his Commonwealth title last November.
“Gavin is really fit and ready for this fight. He’s in great shape and the preparation has gone well.”
While only three of Gwynne’s 14 wins have come inside the distance, Willis, 30, has just one stoppage to his name, with the figures suggesting a long night could be on the cards.
“Neither fighter is a KO specialist so it could go the distance,” added Borg.
“Willis is a southpaw who boxes mainly on the back foot, but I don’t think you can win a title fighting like that all the way through.
“We’ve had Gavin sparring southpaws in training and he’ll go into this with title fight experience on his side.
“We have also noticed that Willis has had cuts over his eye and on his nose open up in previous fights.
“If Gavin can open them up again in the first three or four rounds then it will make things difficult for Willis.”
He continued: “Everyone wants to win a British title, Gavin wants it bad, and I’m confident he will do it.
“Winning this fight could then mean a showdown with Craig Woodruff, and that’s one I’d welcome.”
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