Welborn gunning for Gavin's crown (From Stourbridge News)

Welborn gunning for Gavin's crown

2:00pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Sport

JASON Welborn admits seeing the British title belt close-up has made him even more determined to wrest it from Frankie Gavin’s grasp.

Rowley Regis challenger Welborn and Birmingham champion Gavin will face-off for the welterweight crown at Walsall Town Hall on January 18, with the fight screened live on BoxNation.

The two fighters squared up for the first-time during a pre-Christmas press conference at Dudley’s Bellagio Italian restaurant, with Welborn able to view the coveted Lonsdale belt at close quarters, an experience he claims has made him even more determined.

He said: “It’s a nice belt, I got to touch it and now I want to win it more than ever.

“He (Gavin) has got what I want. He has had his chance and now it’s my chance.”

Though he turned professional more than three years before Gavin, Welborn has had two fewer fights.

But after winning three of his last four bouts by knockout and twice defending the Midland crown, he feels he more than deserves his chance.

He said: “I never got the opportunities Gavin got as an amateur but things are picking up now.

“I have the right people behind me and things are going well. At the end of the day these are the type of guys I need to face if I want to get anywhere.”

For Gavin, Britain’s only ever amateur world champion, the fight represents a first appearance in the Midlands for more than two years.

Despite holding a perfect record, the 27-year-old’s professional career has not always run smoothly but he is confident of maintaining the momentum gained from winning the British crown from Junior Witter back in November.

Gavin said: “I’m coming with the belt and I’m leaving with the belt.

“I have trained too hard to lose to someone like Jason.

“No disrespect, but technically we are on different levels, different leagues.

“I know when I get my flow going in the ring Jason is going to be in a world of his own.

“He is going to have people in his ear telling him I can’t punch but he is going to be feeling those punches.

“Jason has never been in the ring with a fighter with my record as an amateur or pro. He has got to really step it up.”

He added: “At the moment I’m not looking past Jason but I want to be world champion.

“I have the pedigree to do it but at the same time I have to get past the likes of Jason.

“If I lose to someone like him I’m never going to be world champion.”

Tickets are available from Walsall Town Hall box office on 0845 1112900.