Welborn vows to treat Gavin like "worst enemy" (From Stourbridge News)

Welborn vows to treat Gavin like "worst enemy"

5:54pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Local Sport

JASON Welborn says he will treat Frankie Gavin like his “worst enemy” this Friday night.

After weeks of build-up it’s almost time for the talking to stop and the action to begin, as the pair prepare to let their fists do the talking when they meet for the British welterweight title at Walsall Town Hall.

Welborn, from Rowley Regis, has spoken highly of Brummie Gavin as both a fighter and a person in recent weeks but says any respect will cease the moment he steps through the ropes.

He said: “That’s when I will stop being Mr Nice Guy.

“I’m going to treat him like my worst enemy.

“I have respected him as a fighter in the build-up, though he has put me down a couple of times. I won’t have any respect on the night.

“I know he is a good boxer and I can’t stand and trade with him for 12 rounds.

“I have got to be on him from the start. I’ve trained to go 12 hard rounds, we will see if he can handle it.”

Welborn, who admits the pre-fight hype has left him feeling like a “celebrity”, should have the backing of the majority home crowd in the Black Country v Birmingham tear up.

But if the bookmakers are correct, his fans will be going home disappointed.

Former amateur world champion Gavin, who is making his first defence of the title since beating Junior Witter in November, is priced as high as 50-1 on to successfully defend his crown. Gavin himself has said he may as well quit the sport if he loses.

But Welborn, who landed the title shot after impressive knockout successes over James Flinn and Scott Haywood while defending the Midlands crown, feels he has been under-estimated.

He said: “Gavin is saying he has not under-estimated me but I think a lot of people have.

“All that’s done is given me the drive to try harder. I can feel the hunger inside me. It would be great to prove everybody wrong.

“I’ve done everything right in this training camp, I’ve lived like a fighter for the past 18 months and feel this is my time.”

The fight will be broadcast live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Channel 437/Virgin Channel 456).