Luton’s own Frankie Storey is determined to prove that lightning can strike twice when he steps through the ropes at the Brentwood Centre this Sunday (September 7) in search of the Southern Area super bantamweight title.
The 26-year-old, nicknamed “Fearless”, knows exactly what it takes to win the belt, having lifted it in June 2024, only to lose it four months later in a bruising clash with Lewis Frimpong. That October night ended in disappointment after a cut over his left eye left him unable to continue, but Storey insists the experience has only sharpened his hunger.
“Looking back on that loss, I had a lot of things going on,” he told Punchout Boxing. “My daughter was going to be born a couple weeks after and that’s no excuse, but I feel like my ambition and my drive and my fire in my gut to win the belt back, especially for this fight, is ten times more than what it was for the Frimpong fight. I’m trying to make the wrongs right now.”
Standing in his way is unbeaten prospect Zachary Phee from Sittingbourne, who will be putting his perfect record on the line, but Storey believes his experience at championship level could make the difference.
“I’m going to come and show him what real ambition is all about,” the Farley Hill fighter said. “I’m going to bring the fire come September the 7th. Everything we’ve been working on in the gym, all the sacrifices that have been made, are all going to pay off come fight night.”
Storey is proud to carry Luton’s name onto such a big stage, with the fight televised live on DAZN. For him, representing his hometown is about more than just boxing.
“I’ve dreamed about boxing on shows like this since a really young age,” he said. “Where I’m from in Luton, we’re against the odds. This shouldn’t be happening for me realistically – we’re designed to lose from Luton. But I want to show people that greatness can be built from council estates.”
The fighter trains out of the Pug Gym in London, rubbing shoulders with big names such as former heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois and Luton’s own first lady Tysie Gallager, who will be defending her British and Commonwealth crowns later this month. But for Storey, his hometown roots remain at the heart of his journey.
“Luton’s not one of them places where it’s all sunshine and daisies – it’s a little bit of a rough town,” he explained. “I’ve grown up there my whole life and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s created me into the fighter I am today. I’ve had to hustle hard to get this position for sure, not just through boxing but in life.”
Victory on Sunday would put Storey straight back in contention for bigger opportunities, including an English title shot. But first he must get past Phee in what promises to be a fiery contest.
“It’s going to be a fantastic competitive fight for everyone to watch,” he said. “You’re going to see all the attributes from within, come September the 7th. Definitely.”
