Gavin Gwynne and Cameron Vuong are simply days away from assembly on the undercard of the WBC interim flyweight title battle between Sunny Edwards and Galal Yafai in Birmingham.
The intriguing battle is stuffed with jeopardy on each side.
Vuong is taking a calculated gamble by combating a former British, Commonwealth and European light-weight champion in simply his seventh battle while Gwynne is aware of that shedding to such an inexperienced prospect would deal a catastrophic blow to his profession.
After struggling a disappointing defeat to Mark Chamberlain in March, Gwynne was searching for a manner again. He wasn’t anticipating it to return in opposition to 22-year-old Vuong, 6-0 (3 KOs).
He jumped on the alternative however, when he put the cellphone down and sat quietly to consider the battle, was he delighted to have been provided such a lovely route again to prominence, shocked that Vuong’s workforce had singled him out because the opponent to take their man to the subsequent stage or insulted that having completed a lot, he had been hand picked as a beatable goal?
“A little bit little bit of all of them,” Gwynne, 17-3-1 (5 KOs), instructed BoxingScene. “I simply wished a battle. I wished to get out. I used to be talking with my supervisor, Lee Eaton, and I might have boxed on a small present, offered tickets and are available up in opposition to a boy who I knew I used to be going to beat.
“I would not have been capable of rise up for coaching for that. I stated to him ‘Look, I desire a 50/50 battle.’
“The final battle [against Chamberlain], I obtained injured by the primary punch. After 40 seconds I could not see a factor so I used to be simply unfortunate however I stated to him that I didn’t wish to return down the degrees. I desire a tidy battle. He was simply placing the feelers out all over the place after which clearly Cameron Vuong referred to as me out.”
Whereas Gwynne and Vuong are polar opposites when it comes to each character and boxing fashion, Vuong’s ambition and willingness to check himself have struck a chord with the 34-year-old Welshman.
Though he’s the way more completed of the 2, that admiration has pushed Gwynne on in coaching. Slightly than permitting the huge gulf in expertise {and professional} achievements to infiltrate his considering, Gwynne is effectively conscious that issues might shortly run away from him if Vuong is allowed to seek out his groove.
“You have to respect him as a result of he is solely 6-0 and he is prepared to step up in opposition to me. I’ve in all probability had about 12 or 13 title fights the place you have solely had six fights,” he stated.
“He is younger, he is hungry. It’s a correct 50/50 and that is the best way I am treating it as a result of I might overlook him after which he might beat me fairly simply.
“I’m not overlooking him. He is younger and hungry like I used to be just a few years in the past. He is proficient, clearly. I give him my props as a result of not many not many fighters or prospects at 6-0 go in in opposition to a fighter of my caliber. I’m a Welsh, British, Commonwealth and European champion. He’s prepared to step up and truthful play to him however I solely can see one winner.”
Gwynne is true to be treating Vuong rigorously.
Up to now, he has been given bother by fast sharpshooters and motion. Joe Cordina outpointed him again in 2019 while Italian veteran, Emiliano Marsili, outboxed him through the early rounds of their European title battle earlier than operating out of steam underneath Gwynne’s fixed stress. The quick, correct punching of Chamberlain additionally gave Gwynne points he was unable to unravel, though the attention injury he picked up through the opening moments of the battle undoubtedly hindered him.
Gwynne has dragged extra skilled fighters than Vuong into the trenches and likewise has first hand proof that his chosen strategy might reap dividends.
In June, Vuong was taken 10 rounds by the gritty, resolute Jeff Ofori and needed to chew down on his mouthpiece and battle by means of a troublesome ultimate couple of rounds.
Gwynne might have to barter some tough moments but when he can impose himself early sufficient, he might be capable of take Vuong to locations he’s by no means been. The 139lb weight restrict might additionally play into the palms of the 6ft tall veteran.
“100 per cent. I’ve simply obtained to remain switched on. He’s clearly younger and he is sharp however so long as I simply keep on with the sport plan and the issues we’ve been engaged on,” he stated.
“Clearly, Jeff Ofori is a good fighter however he is gonna be extra up for this battle with me as a result of he is aware of what stage of fighter I’m and the best way I battle. Jeff Ofori’s lots smaller than me – he’s in all probability half the scale of the person I’m – so he is gonna be extra up for the battle. I’m making ready for the perfect Cameron Vuong.
“I’ve simply obtained to be the ‘Merthyr Mexican’. Most violence. I do know what his sport plan’s gonna be. Within the media he is in all probability gonna say, ‘I’m gonna stand and commerce with him’ however, no, he is not. When he feels how robust I’m inside – I spar welterweights they usually cannot hold me off – so he is not gonna stand and commerce with me, that is one factor for certain. He’s gonna attempt to hold it lengthy and attempt to outbox me however that ain’t gonna occur. I’m tremendous assured going into this battle.”
Gwynne nonetheless has loads of ambition left however is aware of the implications of defeat. He hasn’t banished the thought or tried to downplay the significance of the battle, he is aware of precisely what’s at stake this weekend.
“All my focus is on Cameron Vuong now as a result of it is a should win battle for me. I am on the stage in my profession now the place if I had a loss, I’ve gotta attempt to construct myself again up and it’d take a very long time so I must get this win. It is a should win battle for myself.”
John Evans has contributed to quite a lot of well-known publications and web sites for over a decade. You’ll be able to comply with John on X @John_Evans79
