Photos: Sam Eggington Drills Frankie Gavin in Birmingham War

By Elliot Foster

Sam Eggington secured the Bragging Rights of Birmingham as he stopped Frankie Gavin.

The Stourbridge welterweight stopped England’s only ever world amateur champion in the eighth of 12 scheduled rounds, live on Sky Sports, to win the vacant WBC International title.

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Eggington (now 19-3, 10 KOs) had Gavin –– who arguably boxed the best he has as a pro, even in defeat –– down in the third round and the 31-year-old ex-world title challenger was also given an eight count as the ropes kept him up later on in the fight at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham.

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While it lasted, it was pure blood, guts and thunder and is a sure-fire contender for Fight of the Year.

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The end came after the stronger, harder Eggington pinned Gavin –– the silkier, more skilful man –– to the ropes and unleashed a sickening body shot, followed by a relentless barrage which led to Gavin (23-3, 14 KOs) dropping to the canvas, referee Victor Loughlin stepping in to stop the fight and jubilant scenes being sparked as Eggington was crowned.

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Elsewhere, London Olympic Games bronze medal winner Anthony Ogogo suffered his first defeat in the paid code. The Lowestoft man, who is now 11-1 (7 KOs), was pulled out of his clash with Craig Cunningham after eight rounds by trainer Tony Sims.

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Cunningham, a two-weight Midlands Area champion, is now 17-1 with four early endings.

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After dropping the favourite twice in the second round and, at some point in the fight, Ogogo suffering from blurred vision, an end was called to the contest by referee Ian-John Lewis, meaning that 28-year-old home fighter Cunningham left the ring with the WBC International title, which was on the line in a vacant capacity, and he will now want to move on to bigger and better things.

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