By Tom Prosser
Welsh boxer Gavin Gwynne made a successful first defence of his Commonwealth title on Saturday but he is now calling for “bigger” fights and wants to get his hands on the British title.
The 31-year-old beat Birmingham’s Jack O’Keefe by a wide points margin on all three of the scorecards.
“It was maximum violence,” laughs Gwynne, who is nicknamed The Merthyr Mexican.
“I think I had a bit of ring-rust, but in the later rounds I started to get my jab off and box a bit better.
GAVIN GWYNNE YN ENNILL!! 🥊
Y Cymro yn sicrhau’r fuddugoliaeth ar bwyntiau!
AND STILL…👑@gavin1gwynne retains his Commonwealth Lightweight Title! 🏴
📺 @S4C
🔴 English Commentary@BoxingWales pic.twitter.com/Z17EypHw8s— S4C Chwaraeon 🏴 (@S4Cchwaraeon) November 27, 2021
“I started to hurt him but it was a bit too late to get the stoppage.
“I think I won it quite comfortably in the end.
“I was countering him and bringing him into my shots and I started to hurt him.
“Credit to Jack O’Keefe he is one hard man.
🙌 #AndStill!
After the results @gavin1gwynne has had this year, is he Welsh Fighter of 2021?
Post-fight reaction coming soon on: https://t.co/tmgc2Kf4MX
📸 @shortandrounduk pic.twitter.com/rDJEBQnISO
— BoxingWales 🏴 (@BoxingWales) November 28, 2021
“He took some massive body shots and I was even hurting my hands on his head he was that tough.
“I’m mandatory for the British title now, I want to push on and get some bigger fights and bigger titles.”
The British lightweight title is currently vacant and Gwynne could be up against a fellow Welshman as he targets his third belt as a professional.
Newport’s Craig Woodruff was ordered to face Paul Hyland Jr in a final eliminator but the latter withdrew from the contest so the board could now order Gwynne V Woodruff for the vacant belt.
Difference is I’ve won my step ups Craig has never won his I like Craig but think there’s better boys deserve a shot who have beat better boys
— gavin gwynne (@gavin1gwynne) November 28, 2021
On the same card, Port Talbot’s Joshua John and Aberdare’s Morgan Jones both secured victories over undefeated opposition.
Tom James, Ted Barnaby and James Atkins all got their professional careers off to the perfect start.
Whilst, Kristian Touze and Jake Tinklin were both successful in their returns from a period of inactivity due to the pandemic.
Next up for Welsh boxing is a show at Chepstow racecourse on the 11th December featuring the likes of Lloyd Germain, Jordan Withers, Nathan Howells and Ryan Pocock.