JOSHUA FRANKHAM RECKONS we can expect some explosive performances from Levi Frankham, now that his younger cousin is joining the pro ranks.

Super welterweight Levi will make his entry into the professional arena on Friday evening on the same card as Joshua – who is working his way down to welterweight – and one headlined by the IBF world flyweight title showdown between Moruti Mthalane and Sunny Edwards.

Joshua is better placed than most to give us the lowdown on Levi, with the pair having grown up together in the amateurs and currently sharing a gym in Southampton under trainer Wayne Batten as professionals.

According to Joshua, 22, his 20-year-old cousin likes to apply the Big Bang Theory when he gets to work.

“He will be in exciting, exciting fights – every fight is gonna be exciting with big knockouts,” predicted the Reading-based Frankham. “You are guaranteed knockouts with him, he is a big puncher and massive at the weight.

“So there will be some amazing nights for both of us, but Levi particularly.

“He goes for the jugular and when he hits it is game over. He will be fan friendly, people love knockouts and that is what you will get with Levi, definitely,” added the 2-0 pro, hoping to make it a treble on Friday, who says Levi has employed a technical side since joining his gym.

“He is learning a lot and has improved so much under Wayne. Before he was come forward, pressure, pressure, pressure and he would beat them down, but now he is sort of learning to box a little bit and is more relaxed and calmer.

“He is looking a lot better and I am looking forward to a big performance from him.

Of course, there is another Frankham – Charles – who is now moving in Queensberry circles and Joshua reveals the three cousins were a formidable trio growing up.

“Charles is a tremendous talent, who can go all the way. We are all close, but we haven’t been together as much as when we all boxed together as amateurs.

“We were a tight team, especially at Pinewood and The Ring and we were running amateur boxing at one stage. We will look to do it again in the pros.

“Charles was always the Daddy during the schoolboy years because he won everything, but I started holding my own with him and won titles, so we all did equally as good.

“It would be a sell-out if we were all on the same bill. Guaranteed! York Hall in September, what a night that would be.”

In the main event of the behind closed doors London card brilliant South African Moruti Mthalane (39-2, 26 KOs) defends his IBF World Flyweight championship against Croydon’s Sunny Edwards (15-0, 4 KOs).

In a ten rounder, Belfast’s Michael Conlan (14-0, 8 KOs) faces dangerous Romanian Ionut Balata (14-2, 3 KOs).

Darlington’s Troy Williamson (15-0-1, 11 KOs) faces Scot Kieran Smith (16-0, 7 KOs) in a final eliminator for the British Super-Welterweight title, held by Ted Cheeseman.

Southampton Super-Featherweight Ryan Garner (9-0, 6 KOs) is also in action, along with a debut for super welterweight Jonathan Kumuteo.

LEVI FRANKHAM INSISTS he has no wish to trade on his Tyson Fury connections as he prepares to launch his professional boxing career at York Hall on Friday.

Levi is the latest Fighting Frankham – joining cousins Charles and Joshua – to be added to the fistic mix, while he is also a close relation of Paris Fury and was page boy at her wedding to Tyson in 2008.

Frankham, now a strapping 20-year-old super welterweight, is not seeking any publicity or boxing capital from his links to the Gypsy King and the sport’s Royal Family. He intends to go quietly about his business and make his own mark in the sport, based on his own merits.

What he doesn’t want is to be described as ‘Tyson Fury’s cousin’ by commentators and have the heavyweight world champion referenced in every interview.

“Not at all,” said the Wayne Batten-trained newcomer, who hails from Cranleigh. “I love them and they are my family, but all I want to do is be my own man. I want to see what I can do, see what I can do myself.

“My mum and Paris’s mum are sisters, so she is my cousin.

“I am my own man, I want to have my fights, see if I am good enough and see if I have got what it takes.

“Any tips or advice I get from anyone I will take on board from people trying to help me. But, I am going to try and do it my own way and see if I can make my own name and win off my own back.”

Frankham launches his pro voyage with an opener over four rounds against Paul Cummings and, once this is complete, his mother’s culinary delights will be at the forefront of his thinking.

“I am feeling good and cannot wait to fight. I just want to get rolling now. Then I can’t wait to have my mum’s roast dinners again as soon as we are all done! Win first, then food.

“Everything has been all good through training camp, I feel fit and strong, so I just want to fight. I have been waiting a long time for it.”

Friday will also represent a first for the Frankhams in that it will be the only time to date that more than one family member has occupied the same bill as a professional.

“It is the first time ever,” confirmed Levi. “My dad boxed pro and had six fights, I had my uncle Bobby Frankham and my uncle Johnny Frankham won the British title from Chris Finnegan. But, at that time, never did two Frankhams box on the same show.

“Now we’ve got me, Josh and Charles – all cousins – and hopefully soon we can have three Frankhams fighting on the same show. I can’t wait to get that on.”

In the main event on the behind closed doors London card brilliant South African Moruti Mthalane (39-2, 26 KOs) defends his IBF World Flyweight championship against Croydon’s Sunny Edwards (15-0, 4 KOs).

In a ten rounder Belfast’s WBO number one ranked Super-Bantamweight Michael Conlan (14-0, 8 KOs) faces dangerous Romanian Ionut Balata (14-2, 3 KOs).

Big punching Southampton Super-Featherweight Ryan Garner (9-0, 6 KOs) and Reading Super-Welterweight Joshua Frankham (2-0) are also in action.

Levi Frankham is one of two debutants alongside Finchley Super-Welterweight Jonathan Kumuteo.

FORMER AMATEUR STAR Levi Frankham has joined his cousins – Josh and Charles Frankham – in signing a promotional agreement with Frank Warren to fight under the Queensberry Promotions banner.

Frankham, 20, from Cranleigh, is preparing to make his professional debut following a lengthy application process to obtain his professional licence. He began training to join the pro ranks in late 2019 and applied for his licence in early 2020. Then lockdown came into force and all applications were placed on hold until late in the year.

Frankham bided his time and used the opportunity to further learn his craft and now finds himself on the cusp on making his professional introduction.

The super welterweight, coached by leading South Coast trainer Wayne Batten, brings with him a strong amateur background, with him having won two Junior ABA titles, a Three-Nations, an NABC title, along with being a National amateur champion.

“I am over the moon to have been signed by Frank Warren,” said Levi. “He is one of the best promoters in the world and his track record in developing young fighters is second to none.

“I am blessed to start off my professional career with the best promoter and a top TV platform. I can’t wait to get going and I can promise I will bring excitement for the fans watching.

“It is amazing that three Frankhams, three cousins, are all signed by the same promoter and it would be a dream for us all to appear on the same show at some point.

“It was frustrating having to wait for so long to get going, but it could also be a blessing because it has given me the time to make improvements in the gym that will serve me well when I step into the ring.”

Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren added: “I am thrilled to add another Frankham to our ranks and Levi is a quality young fighter who we have had great reports on. He is an impressive young man who is totally dedicated to the sport.

“We have known about Levi for some time since he started working with Wayne down in Southampton and I am looking forward to setting him off on his pro journey. He has been forced to be patient to get going due to the pandemic delaying his licence application last year, but he has used the time well and has worked hard in the gym preparing for his first professional fight.

“Wayne is delivering quality young fighters to our platform – such as Mark Chamberlain, Ryan Garner and Josh Frankham – and I expect Levi to enjoy similar success as he sets about making his mark in the sport.”