By Altaf Mubarik

The three local lads from Birmingham were the key figures at the magnificent seven press conference at the Hilton on Monday.  They seemed in jovial mood and were very much upbeat about the upcoming show at the LG Arena on Saturday 18th September. 

Frankie Gavin, Matthew Macklin and Don Broadhurst all called for united support in Birmingham.  They want the local football fans (Birmingham City FC and Aston Villa FC) to put their differences aside and support the Birmingham fighters on the night.

 

Frankie Gavin said: “We need to show united support for the local lads.  I am a blues fan but when it comes to boxing we need to show our support to the Birmingham lads irrelevant of which football team they support.  I am good friends with both lads and I want blues fans to support them both on the night.” 

Don Broadhurst stated that: “We want the local fans to get behind all the local boxers.  We support our respected football teams but we all represent Birmingham as a city.  The last 3 big shows in Birmingham were all sold out.  This shows that Brummie boxing fans are passionate, knowledgeable and hopefully they will create an amazing atmosphere on the night”.

Dean Powell referred to Matthew Macklin’s Georgian opponent, Shalva Jomardashvili, as “tough” and he went on to say that, “A lot of people felt he won the fight against Martin Murray earlier in the year.  If it was an 8 round fight then he could have stopped Murray.”

When asked about Darren Barker pulling out of the fight, Dean said, “Matthew dealt with it in a professional manner and kept his focus.  Matthew is on the verge of a world title shot which we would like to deliver here in Birmingham.  He has matured and is ready to move on to the next level.”

Macklin stated that he had the chance to fight against Giovanni Lorenzo as a WBA world title eliminator.  “My name was branded about on the night when Felix Sturm beat Lorenzo just over a week ago and he is a possible future opponent for me,” he revealed.

Macklin also stated that he was offered a fight against Gennady Golovkin in Kazakhstan for the interim WBA world title but it was offered on short notice and the offer on the table was not financially viable.  Macklin also mentioned Dmitry Pirog and Sebastian Sylvester as possible future opponents.

“I am ranked in the top 5 by pretty much all the major sanctioning bodies.  I’ll fight any of these guys.  Pirog recently blew Daniel Jacobs away and I’ll happily fight Pirog anytime.  We have also tried to make the Sylvester fight during the last 12 months,” declared Macklin.

Macklin’s trainer Freddie Roach will not be working his corner on the night and Macklin’s former trainer Joe Gallagher will step in instead.  Macklin stated, “Freddie is in the Philippines this week with Manny and will not be able to work in my corner.  Joe is a great guy and I’m really glad that he’s involved.  Joe also traveled to the states with us recently.”

Macklin’s fellow Brummie Frankie Gavin will be fighting for the Irish light-welterweight title against Michael Kelly.  This will be Frankie’s first title fight in the professional ranks.  Frankie was described by Dean Powell as one of the best prospects in the UK.

“We at Frank Warren Promotions believe that the better the opponent in front of Frankie the better he performs and if he continues winning then he will ultimately be on the road to a world title somewhere down the line,” revealed Powell. 

Frankie said: “Hopefully this fight will go in to the later rounds because the longest I’ve been is 6 rounds.  I could do with some much needed rounds under my belt.  I have had great sparring with Matthew Hall who is fighting for the European title on the night and I have also sparred with top prospect Ronnie Heffron”.

Don Broadhurst will be fighting an Iraqi opponent, Najah Ali, for the International Masters bantamweight title.  Don is coming off a loss to Lee Haskins and is aiming to bounce back in style.  Dean Powell stated that, “Don has had a tough time over the last ten months and was bitterly disappointed with his contest against Lee Haskins.  However, it takes two to make a fight.” 

Dean felt that Don was not 100% focused prior to his fight against Haskins but his trainer Richie Woodhall has now addressed all the issues and feels Don is in top shape.  Dean went on to say, “Don had a great amateur career and now is 100% focused. 

Hopefully within the next 12 months Don could be fighting for a world title if he fights regularly within that period”. 

Don stated that he was, “Depressed since my loss against Haskins and could barely sleep but now I’m focused.  My opponent Najah Ali fought for Iraq in the Athens Olympics and also won a fight down there so he has good pedigree.  He also knocked down undefeated Michael Walsh in the first round and his only other loss was against British champion Shinny Bayaar.”

Powell praised local trainer/promoter/manager Jon Pegg as the presser wound down.  “I would like to give out a big thank you to Jon Pegg for his behind the scenes support in Birmingham.  His help has been priceless,” admitted Powell.

Dean Powell also gave a mention to Darren McDermott who recently had emergency brain surgery after walking in to a hospital complaining of a headache weeks before his scheduled fight against Paul Smith in Liverpool.

He said: “Our thoughts are with Darren Mcdermott.  I believe he left the hospital yesterday and is talking.  I cannot comment too much but in some ways it is a blessing in disguise because it could have been a lot worse if he had fought with it.  He should be in attendance on Saturday.”