He’s trained hundreds of fighters over the years including former world champion Clinton Woods (pictured), but Glyn Rhodes rates Tommy Frank alongside Clinton as the best professional he’s trained.
Frank has endured a nightmare year having seen his dream shot at the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) World Flyweight Title scuppered in March due to the national lockdown. The 27-year-old finally gets his first outing of 2020 on December 11 when he meets Mexico’s Hugo Guarneros on the UK’s first ever drive-in boxing show, live on Eurosport. The pair will meet for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Title, with the winner ensured a high IBF ranking.
Unbeaten Frank, 13-0 (3), will need to be on top of his game against Guarneros. The experienced South American – who has lost just four times in 23 fights, and knocked out 8 adversaries – is no stranger to British boxing fans. The 30-year-old took on world-rated Sunny Edwards in September last year and, despite losing widely over 10 rounds, gave a good account of himself, showing typical non-stop, Mexican aggression.
Guarneros is actually Tommy’s third scheduled opponent for the unique show. Originally the Sheffield man was due to face local rival, Kyle Yousaf for the British Title before Yousaf tested positive for Covid-19. Highly-rated prospect Harvey Horn was then drafted in before withdrawing from the opposite corner slot. Despite the upheaval, which has also included a date change for the show, Frank – who is a disciple of positive thinking – remains remarkably unfazed.
“Tommy is so focused, it’s unbelievable,” explained Rhodes, from the Sheffield Boxing Centre.
“I’ve been involved in this game for a long time and with some great fighters, but Tommy has got to be the best pro I’ve ever had. I don’t necessarily mean as in ability-wise, but for his dedication and approach to boxing, it can’t be beat. When the IBO World Title fight got cancelled I was gutted for him, but he just took it in his stride with his positive thinking. He’s had a couple more fights fall through since then but he believes everything happens for a reason and he’s said ‘I’m not bothered who I fight, just as long as there’s someone else in the opposite corner’! That’s a great attitude for a young professional.
“The guy that I always hold up to the young kids in the gym is Clinton Woods, because he was the first in the gym and the last out. If he said he’d done his road work then he’d done it, unlike some other fighters. Tommy has a similar work ethic to Clinton. Both of them are maybe not the most talented fighters in the world but their attitude to training and living the life as a boxer is second to none. Attitude is a little thing that makes a huge difference. He’s a lovely kid too, well spoken and it isn’t his style to start throwing tables over at press conferences. I’m happy with him as he is and continuing what he’s doing.
“This fight against the Mexican will be a good test for Tommy and I’m really looking forward to it. Sunny [Edwards] boxed on the back foot all night against him, and it will be similar with Tommy but he is more prepared to plant his feet and exchange more. We’re expecting a good fight because this kid is coming to win, and we’re prepared for whatever he brings. He’s as tough as old boots and he’ll be chasing Tommy all over the place, it has all the ingredients of a great fight.”
Dennis Hobson Promotions presents an evening of boxing at Sheffield Arena on December 11, headlined by Tommy Frank and Mexico’s Rosendo Hugo Guarneros contesting the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter-Continental Flyweight Title.
Chief support sees Kane Salvin and Sufyaan Ahmed fight for the Central Area Super Featherweight belt. Also appearing will be Sheffield’s Perry Howe and Keanen Wainwright, Lancashire’s Josh Holmes and Zak Miller, Belfast’s Cathy McAleer, and Rotherham’s Kash Ali.
The action will be broadcast live by Eurosport.
For ticket information, call 0114 243 4443.
Follow Dennis Hobson Promotions on Twitter @Dennis_Hobson, Facebook facebook.com/DennisHobsonPromotions, and on Instagram @dennis_hobson_promotions
Photo credit: @Sporting Captures