Gavin will be a champion - Bellew

Gavin has followed Bellew into the professional ranks

Liverpool light-heavyweight Tony Bellew has backed world amateur champion Frankie Gavin to carry his impressive form into the professional ranks.

Former Great Britain team-mates Bellew, 26, and lightweight Gavin, 23, are now both signed to Frank Warren and trained at Anthony Farnell's gym in Manchester.

Bellew told BBC Radio Merseyside: "He's an awesome talent, he's unbelievable.

"He's the hardest kid to hit I've ever seen in the ring. Frankie is destined to be a world champion."

Bellew, who is unbeaten in his seven fights since turning professional in October 2007, is scheduled to fight over six rounds for the first time in Widnes on Friday night against Jamie Ambler.

Bellew says he has enjoyed working in the gym with his good friend Gavin in the run up to his second clash with Ambler.

"It's been good for both of us. I watch lots of things he does as you can never stop learning in this game," said Bellew.

"You have to learn all the time and I don't just watch the fighters in my gym. I study the likes of Bernard Hopkins and Miguel Cotto, I'm a student of the game."