World title contender Frankie Gavin to challenge European welterweight champion Kerman Lejarraga next
Gavin gets EBU title tilt on November 17 in Spain
26-year-old Spaniard Kerman Lejarraga (26-0) was relatively unknown before his demolition job over British welterweight champion Bradley Skeete (27-2) last April, despite the European puncher’s unbeaten record and impressive KO ratio, now tallied at 21 stoppages from 26 contests.
It took the “Revolver” from Bilbao just two-rounds to claim the vacant European title with his smash and grab win over stylish south Londoner Skeete, who next fights Gary Corcoran (18-2) on October 20 in a fourth defence of his Lonsdale belt.
Frankie Gavin (25-3), the only other person to inflict a defeat Skeete's record, will serve Lejarraga with the first defence of his European honours on November 17, once again in his home town of Bilbao, on the MGZ Promotions show at the BEC Bizakia Arena.
Birmingham's Gavin was made mandatory challenger to Lejarraga last month by the EBU, who hasn’t fought since June 3 last year, has since had an opportunity for the IBO world welterweight title fall by the wayside at the last moment due to issues regarding the funding of the title earlier this year.
Frankie, a former world amateur champion, challenges for the EBU title for a second time following a previous unsuccessful tilt against unbeaten Leonard Bundu (30-0-2) in 2014, losing on a narrow split decision in Wolverhampton.
"Funtime" started his pro career at Hall Green ABC with sparring partner Tommy Langford and trainer Tom Chaney, who guided the youngster to gold medals at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, the World amateur championships in Chicago in 2007 and the EU Championships in 2008. He now trains with Malcom Melvin at his own boxing gym.