Boxing: I KHAN BEAT ANYONE - GAVIN; Frankie eager to start fight for world crown.

Byline: IAN CLARKSON

HIS coach describes him as the Wayne Rooney of boxing while he reckons he could beat Amir Khan. Meet Frankie Gavin, the future of the sport in the Midlands.

Gavin is officially ranked as the best amateur lightweight in Britain after winning the first ever box-offs at Crystal Palace last year.

And the 19-year-old from Stetchford is currently competing in the national ABA championships where he is only adding to his growing reputation.

Gavin made his television debut earlier this year when the BBC televised England's clash with the USA during the height of Khan-maniaWhile all eyes were on the Olympic silver-medallist, Gavin turned in two polished performances to beat the highly-rated Ray Rivera and leave pundits such as Richie Woodhall drooling.

With Khan now moving up to lightwelterweight and looking increasingly likely to turn professional as Frank Warren's cash starts to turn his head,thepath is clear for Gavin to cement his place in Britain's team for next year's Commonwealth Games in Australia.

And Gavin's coach, Tom Cheney, who runs Hall Green ABC, reckons that the teenager is fast becoming the blue-eyed boy of British boxing.

Talk is cheap, but Cheneywas learning his trade when Matthew Macklin wonthe ABAs and knows a champion when he sees one.

'He is like the WayneRooney of boxing because he is such a talent,' said Cheney. 'Every coach and judge in the country always wants to talk to him because he is such a bubbly kid.

'He is a loveable little rogue from Stetchford who has always been the biggest pest in the gym.

'He wants to fight anyone and has always won medals at every level. Even Ralph Gold awarded him 'Boxer of the Night' at a show in Penns Hall.

'All I want is for Frankie to be successful and I have told him he owes mean ABA title - he has won everything else.' Khan's success in Athens has certainly lifted the profile of boxing again and, with Hall Green ABC due to move to massive new premises in Shaftmoor Lane, the future looks bright.

Gavin is the jewel in the crown and hehas his sights set on Commonwealth and Olympic glory.

And if Khan's success is anything to go by, then Gavin is definitely on the right track to be standing on the podium in 2008.

'I sparred with Khan before the Olympics and that definitely helped me,' said Gavin. 'I thought that we were pretty even at that time and it would be a very close fight.

'I want to be known as Frankie Gavin, not the next Amir Khan - although I would like to beat him.

'On my day I know I can beat anyone in the country.

'He is now at light-welter and I will probably move up to that weight for the Commonwealth Games.

'I really want to win medals and that is what drives me on - not money. My plan is to win a medal at the Beijing Olympics and then turn professional afterwards.

'I won a gold medal at the junior Olympics in Michigan when I was 16, soI know what it takes. Eventually, I will be looking to win a world title professionally. Mind you, I am in the gym three times a day anyway, so it is similar to being a professional.

'Because I won the box-offs I receive some funding from Sport England - it's not a lot, but it's enough to get by.'

Gavin, who has also won silver and bronze in the European Junior Championships, admitted that boxing on TV did not faze him in the slightest.

And he also admitted that the support of Telford's former WBC supermiddleweight world champion, Woodhall, had left him feeling 10 feet tall.

'It was my television debut and winning both bouts was a really good experience for me. I enjoyed the fact that the cameras were there,' continued Gavin. 'Richie has spoken to me and he told me that I looked even more impressive in the box-offs that followed than against America.

'It is a real confidence booster when someone of his calibre pays you compliments.

'I have always really admired Richie and I hope that I can reach the same level as him at some stage.

'I want to stay amateur for as long as I can so when I finally turn professional I will have good experience.

'Winning medals is what drives me on and I want to be the best boxer in the country.

'Tom is a hard taskmaster but he makes sure I am always in the gym and I owe a lot of my success to him

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GOLD TRAIL: Frankie Gavin's goal is to win an Olympic title and then become a world champion Picture: DARREN QUINTON