Gavin Gwynne (15-2, 3 KOs) will look to prove his possession of titles is something that possesses longevity as he looks to get through the first defense of his British lightweight title at Bolton University Stadium on Saturday, September 17 live. . on Channel 5.
April 2022 turned out to be the year he would check one of the boxes on his professional boxing wish list by claiming gold at the historic York Hall, where Gwynne fulfilled one of his dreams by adding the British lightweight title to his Commonwealth title.
The man looking to wrest Gwynne’s beloved titles from him is fellow Welshman and familiar figure in Newport’s Craig Woodruff (12-6, 4 KOs). Woodruff, someone with whom Gwynne has shared training sessions before, has held Welsh and Celtic lightweight titles but comes into this fight without any experience fighting for a British crown.
“I didn’t realize it for the first few days, but the more I got messages from people congratulating me and taking notice of me, the more I took in,” Gwynne said. “It was one of my main goals when I became a professional boxer, and I showed that by learning and developing you can achieve the dream.”
“When I won the title, what a night it was. It means more than you can imagine, so someone is going to have to do something really spectacular to take it off my hands.”
Experience is priceless, especially in the spirit of current king Gwynne who, without losing to some of the top talent within the lightweight division, would not be where he is now. It’s not just the champion’s personal progression that works in his favor, but also the fact that Woodruff is entering uncharted waters of the British title that could find him unable to swim with Gwynne.
“I think the pace I’m going to set is going to give Craig some problems, especially when you add into the mix that he’s never been in a championship fight for a title like the British one,” Gwynne said. I have boxed at Commonwealth and British level and I think it may be too unknown for him. I know what he is going to do, and I will not discuss any training sessions, but he knows that he cannot afford to stand there and trade blows with me.”
If the notes taken in the gym prove fruitful, then the champion could move on to new pastures with Woodruff left by the wayside and Gwynne building her own legacy. Aside from the obvious accolades boxers seek, the champion wants to be remembered as a professional who spared no expense in educating him as a boxer.
“I’m a fighter; I’ve always had the attitude that I would fight anyone, anywhere. I think you become a better fighter by lacing up your gloves against quality, not like some modern prospects who can go 15-0 without boxing no one of a certain level.”
“I’ve lost to two credible opponents,” Gwynne continued. “Joe Cordina, who is now a world champion, and the other loss to James Tennyson, who has also battled for world honours. Those losses are priceless and they gave me that fire in my stomach to train harder and work on all aspects of my game.”
That fire represents a passionate aggression that burns brightly within him. Wanting to be remembered as an ‘old school fighter’ is not only because of his willingness to fight anyone, but also because of his physical approach to stamping his authority on anyone who wishes to enter and claim control of the ring. .
He’s set to be a ‘Fight of the Night’ contender and the champion plans to carry on the titles he came in with, as well as all the limelight from the big Bolton event. Aggression, sacrifice, will; he’s totally committed to putting on a complete performance and pulling off a win however it takes to pull it off.
“You have to go in there to do harm, and with that, you have to be the one to seal your authority and take charge,” Gwynne said. “I have the nickname of ‘The Merthyr Mexican’, and it is due to my ruthless and aggressive approach. If I have to have two drinks to share two of my own, so be it, I’m prepared to give it my all.”
“I am very confident in getting the win and doing it in style. My raised hand is the priority, my fists will do all the talking I need on fight night.”
