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The British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association
08/21/2012 | News release
Gavin backing Joshua to defend Olympic gold
distributed by noodls on 08/21/2012 13:56
Gavin backing Joshua to defend Olympic gold
August 21, 2012 18:05 pm
Former world amateur champion Frankie Gavin has backed London 2012 gold medallist Anthony Joshua to make history by turning down lucrative offers to turn professional and instead retain his Olympic boxing crown in 2016.
Joshua shot to fame earlier this month by winning gold at his home Games to join an elite group of fighters. Speculation immediately started over whether Joshua, 22, would be tempted into switching to the professional game and cashing in on his amateur glory.
However, the Watford man has insisted he is young enough to remain a part of the Team GB set-up and has set his sights on winning gold again in Rio de Janeiro. Gavin said: "He's only a baby. Why doesn't he go to the next Olympics? He's going to earn a lot of money through sponsorship, TV deals and the BABA."
He added: He's proved himself now by winning a world silver medal and an Olympic gold, so he's on the best funding.
"From watching those Olympics, there's only the Cuban, Erislandy Savon (who can possibly threaten him). Roberto Cammarelle, who he beat in the final, will go professional now or retire and we don't know what Savon will do. Maybe he'll defect from Cuba and try to go professional.
"There's no-one else who is going to touch him so, for four years' time, it's worth a go. There's no-one in England coming up to take his spot."
Gavin admits Joshua's legacy is secure whatever happens - but hopes he enhances his accomplishments by becoming the first Briton to do it twice.
"He's a legend in his own right now for winning one, but winning two is really special," said the unbeaten Birmingham fighter (13-0, 10KOs). "Just going to two Olympics is special, so winning two, or even getting medals at two, is great. So winning two golds has got to put you up there as a legend."
Gavin, meanwhile, has other things on his mind as he prepares for a probable British welterweight title challenge against Junior Witter. The British Boxing Board of Control have installed him as their mandatory challenger and the 26-year-old hopes to fight the veteran in November after a warm-up bout in October.
"I wanted to be in this position 18 months ago," said Gavin, who endured personal problems outside the ring last year before settling down in his native Birmingham. "Good things come to those who wait and I've had to wait. I haven't been beaten, I've got a good record and I'm really thriving at the moment. I want to beat Witter, defend the title three times so I can win the belt outright and then get the European title too."
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