Tommy Frank: 'Losing isn't an option for me, and I'm sure it's not an option for Jay either. That's what makes boxing so exciting!'
By Louis Devereux
It is well known in the boxing world that the closest thing you will ever find to guaranteed excitement is a British title fight. Nothing beats a domestic 50/50, and when both fighters agree to put it all on the line to compete for that prestigious Lord Lonsdale belt, fireworks are almost a given. Hoping to continue this streak of legendary nights is British flyweight champion, Tommy Frank, who will defend his title against former European champion and world title challenger, Jay Harris, on May 5th in Rotherham.
It is a fight that has eluded boxing fans over the past months, and some might think that the fight could even be cursed, with it being cancelled, rescheduled and postponed numerous times since it was first ordered by the British Boxing Board of Control almost a year ago. Now though, the fight is confirmed for May the 5th at the Magna Centre in Rotherham (and available to watch for FREE on FightZone), and Tommy is feeling more than ready to put on a show and get the victory in what might just be his toughest fight to date.
'It's gone past excitement now. I'm just ready to be in that ring waiting for that first bell to go so I can get to work; it will be a relief more than anything. It has been the best part of a year since this fight was first talked about and through no fault of my own, or of Jay's, the date kept changing and the fight kept being moved around. It wasn't easy, but we were both in the same boat where all we could really do was just be patient and keep working and training hard. It's been difficult having to keep recharging and having a different date to aim for but worse things have happened, and I'm feeling ready. I'm just glad that my team have managed to secure a date on a great show, so a big shoutout to Dennis Hobson, Steve Crump, and FightZone.'
Leading up to such a monumental title fight against such a high-level opponent, you cannot afford to lose your drive or focus on anything but training. All of the postponements and changing of venues could have quite easily thrown Tommy off or had an effect on his mindset, but it is clear that his motivation has not wavered one bit.
'Obviously having the date changed isn't ideal. When your sparring and dieting are all geared towards this set date and making weight and peaking on this date, it can throw you off when the plans change, but I don't think it's affected me in a negative way. It's happened a couple of times since last year, and getting this fight confirmed has been a long process, but worse things happen in life. I'm a British champion defending my title on a great show in a great fight, and I'm a big believer in focusing on the positives. The fight really isn't far away now and I'm just making the best of the situation and rolling with it, and I'm sure Jay is the same.
'I rate Jay very highly as a boxer. I've said in every interview that I rate his ability and I've got a lot of respect for him. I think we have similar styles which will make for an interesting fight, and I think we'll complement each other in the ring and it will be great to watch. We've exchanged messages in the past and I wish him all the best.'
Before the fight landed on May 5th, it was scheduled for March 10th at York Hall in London. Being from Sheffield, the fight taking place so close to home will certainly guarantee a higher number of fans turning up to support Tommy, which is an added bonus for the champion.
'Yeah, I will be the home fighter, and it's great that I'll have my support there but even when the fight was at York Hall, I was still taking a lot of fans down with me. They were all looking forward to an away day! That would have been fun, but it's worked out even better for us all now, what with it being so close to Sheffield. I made my debut at the Magna Centre and it's a good venue, so I'm looking forward to going back as champion!'
To round off the interview, I asked Tommy what a win would mean for him, and where it could take him in his career if he were to beat such a highly-rated and respected opponent.
'The winner will go on to big things! I know we both really want it, and there's a lot on the line for both of us which only makes it more exciting. I think I am the underdog going into it because he's boxed for a world title, he's a former European champion and he's boxed at a very high level so you've got to respect that. That being said though, I think that the better the opponent the better I perform, so I'm looking forward to shocking a few people on May 5th. Losing isn't an option for me, and I'm sure it's not an option for Jay either. That's what makes boxing so exciting; one of us has to beat the other and we'll both be doing everything we can to walk away the winner and as British champion.
'I want to make a name for myself and be in bigger and bigger fights, and beating Jay Harris is crucial to doing that. I haven't thought past this fight, this is all I'm focusing on.'
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