Monday, 23 November 2015
Birmingham's Finest: Sam Eggington and Frankie Gavin leading the chargeof West Midlands boxing talent
Since the NIA switch to the Barclaycard Arena, big time boxing in the United Kingdom has found a new home in the country's second city. The West Midlands - and especially Birmingham - are currently reveling in hotbed of talent, with the arena selling out twice this year thanks to Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing hauling the Sky camera's to a new destination.
Much like Kell Brook is the star in Sheffield and Scott Quigg takes centre stage in Manchester, Stourbridge sensation, Sam 'The Savage' Eggington has thrust the spotlight in Birmingham, landing himself with the main event status in his home city. However it was a disappointment that filled the air in October, when Eggington's date with destiny was put on hold. The City was set to be divided as Eggington faced the other Golden Boy, former amateur star and recent world title challenger, Frankie Gavin. Sadly a freak accident involving Gavin saw that the contest would not go ahead. All was not lost as Eggington avenged one of just two professional defeats when punishing Dale Evans for 12 rounds to retain his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles.
Recent whispers now suggest the match-up Birmingham has been waiting for is close to being back on, with late February or early March of 2016 muted as the date for fight night. So Birmingham awaits once again, but if you are thinking that is all the boxing talent the West Midlands has to boast of right now, then you are certainly in the wrong. Gavin is not the only former world title challenger, as Birmingham born Matthew Macklin has come face to face with the pinnacle of boxing, not once but twice. Macklin lost controversially in Germany to Felix Sturm before becoming one of 31 knockout victims at the concrete hands of 'Triple G' Gennady Golovkin. There was no shame attatched to those defeats, nor was there to his 11th round retirement against the elite Sergio Martinez. Macklin now bids to become a world champion at the lighter weight in the Light Middleweight division.
As for the stars of tomorrow, Birmingham's Yafai brothers are stamping their name in the heads of Sky Sports viewers. Khalid and Gamal are both tipped for the very top, hence why Eddie Hearn snapped the pair up as soon as they set foot in the paid ranks. With a combined 25 straight victories for the Super Bantamweight (Gamal) and Super Flyweight (Kal) duo, there are many more thrilling nights to come at the Barclaycard Arena, with the ultimate aim to bring world championship action to Birmingham.
It is not only Sky Sports bringing the buzz to Birmingham, or should we say Birmingham aren't bringing the buzz just to Sky Sports. BoxNation have their own Brummie star in unbeaten Tommy Langford who currently holds the Inter-Continental version of the WBO title. Born in Devon, Langford lives in Birmingham and has made a name for himself at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Alongside Tommy is the exciting fan favourite, Andrew Robinson. 'D'Animal' has only lost once as a professional - to recent world title challenger Frank Buglioni. Never in a dull fight, the Midlands Area champion from Redditch is not afraid to call out the big names in his division, including highly touted current British Super Middleweight beltholder Callum Smith.
Boxing is unique in so many ways, champions come from the most unlikely of places, and often reveal to us the most heart warming of stories. Sam Eggington is on the verge of stardom, yet when he first crossed over he told all his friends, family and coaches that he was turning professional to become a journeyman. At 18 years old Eggington was a forklift driver with a young child, but having been made redundant Eggington sought to make a bit of honest money to support his young family. Eggington approached the extemely well respected Jon Pegg about turning professional, with his intentions only to become an away fighter. Jon however took one close look at Sam in training before convincing his latest recruit that there was no chance he could become a journeyman boxer...no, he was a champion in the making.
In his professional debut Eggington beat an unbeaten Leon Findley, and in his own words the plan of becoming a journyeman went "tits-up straight away". The fact that Eggington currently holds the Lord Lonsdale belt is far from a fluke, but there is little doubt that a small dose of chance intervened with Eggington's life
Andrew Robinson's goal as a professional boxer has already been fulfilled. In an interview with Andrew he described how his ambition was to become Midlands Area champion, a feat he achieved in just 16 fights. It was never Robinson's intention to turn professional. As a local DJ, Robinson sought out boxing to beef up, but realised pretty early on that the way in which he was taking out sparring partners and amateur opponents was a sign that boxing was the way forward. After a short amateur experience, Robinson turned pro and has not looked back since.
Robinson first learnt how to fight on the streets, having become entangled in the wrong lifestyle he faced near death situations on more than one occasion. Andrew is not the first and will be far from the last young man to turn his life around with the help of boxing. A devoted Christian and humble family man, Robinson is now cheered on by a different crowd.
The importance of bringing big time boxing back to Birmingham far outgrows bringing fights like Eggington vs Gavin to a hyped up audience. It is about investing in new role models and offering a chance for the next generation to see what can be achieved by those who still buy their bread and milk from the local convenience store.
Recent whispers now suggest the match-up Birmingham has been waiting for is close to being back on, with late February or early March of 2016 muted as the date for fight night. So Birmingham awaits once again, but if you are thinking that is all the boxing talent the West Midlands has to boast of right now, then you are certainly in the wrong. Gavin is not the only former world title challenger, as Birmingham born Matthew Macklin has come face to face with the pinnacle of boxing, not once but twice. Macklin lost controversially in Germany to Felix Sturm before becoming one of 31 knockout victims at the concrete hands of 'Triple G' Gennady Golovkin. There was no shame attatched to those defeats, nor was there to his 11th round retirement against the elite Sergio Martinez. Macklin now bids to become a world champion at the lighter weight in the Light Middleweight division.
As for the stars of tomorrow, Birmingham's Yafai brothers are stamping their name in the heads of Sky Sports viewers. Khalid and Gamal are both tipped for the very top, hence why Eddie Hearn snapped the pair up as soon as they set foot in the paid ranks. With a combined 25 straight victories for the Super Bantamweight (Gamal) and Super Flyweight (Kal) duo, there are many more thrilling nights to come at the Barclaycard Arena, with the ultimate aim to bring world championship action to Birmingham.
It is not only Sky Sports bringing the buzz to Birmingham, or should we say Birmingham aren't bringing the buzz just to Sky Sports. BoxNation have their own Brummie star in unbeaten Tommy Langford who currently holds the Inter-Continental version of the WBO title. Born in Devon, Langford lives in Birmingham and has made a name for himself at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Alongside Tommy is the exciting fan favourite, Andrew Robinson. 'D'Animal' has only lost once as a professional - to recent world title challenger Frank Buglioni. Never in a dull fight, the Midlands Area champion from Redditch is not afraid to call out the big names in his division, including highly touted current British Super Middleweight beltholder Callum Smith.
Boxing is unique in so many ways, champions come from the most unlikely of places, and often reveal to us the most heart warming of stories. Sam Eggington is on the verge of stardom, yet when he first crossed over he told all his friends, family and coaches that he was turning professional to become a journeyman. At 18 years old Eggington was a forklift driver with a young child, but having been made redundant Eggington sought to make a bit of honest money to support his young family. Eggington approached the extemely well respected Jon Pegg about turning professional, with his intentions only to become an away fighter. Jon however took one close look at Sam in training before convincing his latest recruit that there was no chance he could become a journeyman boxer...no, he was a champion in the making.
In his professional debut Eggington beat an unbeaten Leon Findley, and in his own words the plan of becoming a journyeman went "tits-up straight away". The fact that Eggington currently holds the Lord Lonsdale belt is far from a fluke, but there is little doubt that a small dose of chance intervened with Eggington's life
Andrew Robinson's goal as a professional boxer has already been fulfilled. In an interview with Andrew he described how his ambition was to become Midlands Area champion, a feat he achieved in just 16 fights. It was never Robinson's intention to turn professional. As a local DJ, Robinson sought out boxing to beef up, but realised pretty early on that the way in which he was taking out sparring partners and amateur opponents was a sign that boxing was the way forward. After a short amateur experience, Robinson turned pro and has not looked back since.
Robinson first learnt how to fight on the streets, having become entangled in the wrong lifestyle he faced near death situations on more than one occasion. Andrew is not the first and will be far from the last young man to turn his life around with the help of boxing. A devoted Christian and humble family man, Robinson is now cheered on by a different crowd.
The importance of bringing big time boxing back to Birmingham far outgrows bringing fights like Eggington vs Gavin to a hyped up audience. It is about investing in new role models and offering a chance for the next generation to see what can be achieved by those who still buy their bread and milk from the local convenience store.
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