CHALLENGER Gavin Gwynne reckons he can score a “wide points victory” tonight against British and Commonwealth lightweight king Joe Cordina if everything goes to plan at London’s O2.

And Gwynne, trained by St Joseph’s supremo Tony Borg, who used to coach Cordina, is more than happy to accept the tag of underdog for the capital showdown.

Cordina is a big favourite with the bookmakers to defend his belts, but Gwynne’s having none of it and firmly believes all the pressure will be on his fellow Welshman, in a contest which could “steal the show” on a mouth-watering promotion in Greenwich.

The show on the banks of the River Thames is headlined by pound-for-pound great Vasyl Lomachenko’s world title clash with Yorkshire’s 2012 Olympic champion Luke Campbell.

There are five title bouts in all with Julio Cesar Martinez, the man who beat Andrew Selby in March, facing WBC world flyweight champion Charlie Edwards in another eagerly anticipated encounter.

For Gwynne, the all-Welsh affair with Cardiff’s Cordina (9-0) is the biggest fight of his life, and he is determined not to let the chance of becoming British and Commonwealth champion pass him by.

“I can’t wait, I’m buzzing” said the 29-year-old, who boasts a professional record of 11-0.

“Our styles will gel and it’s going to be a good one to watch – I think it fight might steal the show.

“He’s got fast hands and good footwork, so we’ve got to eliminate that and implement what we’ve been working on.

“Hopefully it all comes together, and if it does then I reckon I can see myself getting a wide points victory.”

South Wales Argus:

Gavin Gwynne and Joe Cordina when they were St Joseph's stablemates

He added: “I’m a massive underdog. I think I’m always going to be the underdog, no matter what I do in my career.

“I never had a glittering amateur career. I won the Welsh Championships and boxed for Wales, but I didn’t move on to the Commonwealth Games, go to the Olympics or get on the GB podium squad.

“I’m always going to be the underdog against these boys, but I like that because there’s no pressure on me.

“They are the ones who’ve got all the pressure on them, I’ve just got to go out and box.

“I know there’s going to be 20,000 people there, but I don’t really care about that, the only people I’ll be listening to are my trainer and manager.

“I’m going to have all the family there and most of my friends and fans have got tickets, and I can’t thank everyone enough for their support, it has been unreal.”

Gwynne says a pre-fight training camp in the US with St Joes stablemates Lee Selby and Jordan Withers was just what he needed ahead of the meeting with Cordina.

And taking the decision to quit his day job and train full-time has, in his eyes, worked wonders.

“I needed the trip to the States,” he said. “You get good sparring here, but you’re not going to beat the sparring over there.

“It’s a different kind of training over there. Every session was hard, especially with the heat, but I enjoyed it.”

He added: “I haven’t had any injuries since going full-time with boxing.

“I think my body was fatiguing working eight to 10 hours a day, and then training twice a day gets on top of you.

“That was my body trying to tell me I’ve got to choose one or the other.

“I gave up work and hopefully that pays off at the O2.”

Gavin's just someone in the way of my world title dream - Cordina

Gwynne: Winning in London would mean the world to me

‘Both will put everything on the line to own those belts’

NEWPORT bantamweight Sean McGoldrick is in a perfect position to preview tonight’s all-Welsh encounter between Joe Cordina and Gavin Gwynne – he was a stablemate of both at St Joseph’s.

Here, the former Commonwealth Games gold medallist gives his thoughts on what could be a classic fight in front of a packed O2 crowd.

“I’ve known Joe since I was 14 or 15 and Gavin for nearly as long, and they have both got every right to be very confident going into this fight.

“Joe had the better amateur career and has shown he can do it in the pro ranks by winning the British and Commonwealth titles.

“Gavin has got a great engine, he is very determined, and it will take a lot to beat him, but the same can be said for Joe, who has got all the skills.

“Being with Tony Sims in Essex, I think Joe has found a new version of himself, although Gavin will have had more time to focus on his boxing having gone full-time.

“Whoever wins, they will more than deserve it, and I’m sure both are going to put everything on the line to own those belts.

“I can’t wait for the fight. It’s an intriguing one on paper. I know both have styles that I’m sure will make for a great watch.

“It’s tough to say if it will go the distance. By what they are saying, I think both expect it to go all the way, but you never know what can happen in boxing – one punch can change things.

“The guys have sparred before and when you spar someone you then fight you can be prepared for that surprise element.

“Gavin is massive for the weight, but for a tall guy he can mix it up by either keeping it long or going shorter on the inside.

“He’s got a good jab and his combination punching is really good, but Joe knows that and he’s got the ability to deal with anything that Gavin throws at him.

“Joe’s got great footwork and fast hands, and he knows how to get out of trouble.

“They’ve both got plenty of determination. Joe didn’t get to be a European champion and reach the Olympics without determination.

“They’ve both got that will to win in abundance. If Gavin can take Joe out of his comfort zone then it could be a tough night for the champion.

“I don’t think the size of the show will make any difference to Gavin. Joe has been on these big shows before so is more used to it.

“Gavin is going into it as the challenger which will take all the pressure off him as the belts are Joe’s to lose.

“There are so many fighters out there I would have liked to see them go down different routes and then meet further down the line.

“But both want belts and a win gives one of them a bigger platform going forward. The Welsh public know who they are, this will take them to a much wider audience.

“As for a prediction, I’m sitting on the fence. I genuinely feel like it’s a hard one to call. I just hope it lives up to expectations and both come home safe.”