Tommy Frank is in a 50/50 fight when he defends his British Flyweight Title against Welshman Jay Harris on May 5th, but the key to victory could be his ‘freshness’ believes trainer, Glyn Rhodes (pictured).
Frank and Harris’ highly-anticipated battle takes place at the Rotherham Magna Centre, LIVE AND FREE ON FIGHTZONE, with Welshman Harris – on paper – the fight favourite.
The son of former British Champion, Peter Harris – Jay has a formidable ledger having lost just three of 22 outings, with one of those reverses being an away-from-home world title shot in America against top draw Mexican, Julio Cesar Martinez.
Harris is also a former European and Commonwealth Champion, and has fought on bigger stages and against better operators than his ‘Steel City’ counterpart but – at age 31 and with two KO defeats in his last four fights – is the maestro past his peak?
‘Super’ Tommy claimed the Lonsdale Belt in September 2019 with a handy points win over Birmingham’s Matt Windle. Since then, the huge Sheffield United fan has picked up a routine win over Tanzania’s Charles Tondo before taking on fellow Yorkshireman Craig Derbyshire in a first title defence.
In that fight, the 29-year-old eked out a split-decision draw to reclaim his belt with plenty at ringside believing him fortunate. However, trainer Rhodes believes Frank was complacent heading into that contest – having already beaten Derbyshire previously – and says that the challenge of Harris will bring out the best in his man.
“This is a very tough fight for Tommy and, in my opinion, it’s a bang-on 50-50 one,” explained Rhodes. “I’m hearing that Jay is the favourite so we’re up against it, but that’s just boxing opinion.
“We know it’s not an easy fight. Jay Harris is very experienced and has been in with some quality operators but he’s been stopped a couple of times with body shots, and Tommy’s a great body puncher! So, let’s hope that works in our favour.
“We’re hoping Tommy’s that bit fresher. You have to ask yourself what sort of desire does Harris have left? When you’ve boxed for a world title and lost, it’s not easy to motivate yourself and get in a position to box for it again. He’s also getting on a bit – Tommy’s not a young man either but we’re hoping Jay has lost a bit of desire.
“The night that Tommy fought Derbyshire, because he’d already beaten him two years before and pretty easily, I think Tommy thought all he had to do was turn up. Craig brought his A-game, put in a terrific performance and Tommy has learnt his lesson and realised that a fight is never in the bank. Strangely enough, that lesson might have been a blessing in disguise as we head into this fight.”
Fight Academy’s Dennis Hobson, said: “This is a smashing fight between two top pros and I’m so pleased it’s on Fightzone. Jay is a very good fighter but Tommy will be in brilliant condition and this is the perfect platform for him to shine.
“In these days when ordinary fights are being put on PPV, this is an old-school British Title fight which are always exciting battles, and it’s completely free to watch – which is fantastic news for boxing fans.”
