Quiet Frankie out to emulate Amir
PRECIOUS little has changed in the life of Sheffield-based lightweight Frankie Gavin since he became Britain's first world amateur boxing champion last November, and was automatically installed as favourite for Olympic gold.
The acres of column inches on the unassuming 22-year-old may suggest otherwise, with Gavin held up as one of the key faces of the Great Britain medal target in Beijing.
But for Gavin, life continues very much as normal.
His four days a week of rigorous training at the squad's Sheffield Institute of Sport base is supplemented by sessions at the Hall Green club in his native Birmingham. He still goes there on the bus.
"I'm not thinking much about the trappings of fame like fast cars and things like that," said Gavin.
"Besides, I can't even drive yet. I know that if I don't win Olympic gold, none of that is going to matter."
Gavin, a former teammate of Athens silver medallist Amir Khan and arguably the more talented, intends to turn professional after the Games.
Whether he can live up to expectations in Beijing, or ultimately suffers from them, could make a significant difference to the number of noughts on the end of his first official pay cheque.
But quietly-spoken Gavin appears to be the type of fighter who can take it all in his stride.
"Obviously there's going to be pressure but I'll put it to the back of my mind," Gavin says.
"I'll go out there and do what I do, and if it's not good enough there's nothing I can do about it. But if I go out there and do what I know I'm capable of, I can definitely be Olympic champion."
Gavin says he was inspired watching Khan, six months his junior and his long-time team-mate and sparring partner, clinch silver in Athens.
And he cannot help but feel a little envious at the fame and fortune that has come Khan's way since he turned professional in a blaze of glory and began his march towards the top of the lightweight world rankings.
"I watched Amir on the television and all I kept thinking was, why can't this be me?" said Gavin.
"Amir's a great talent but there was never that much between us. His success gave me extra confidence to go on and succeed."
The respect is mutual. Khan says: "Frankie's got a quick boxing brain and fast hands and that is what you need to succeed in amateur boxing. I definitely believe he can bring back the gold medal."