Don Broadhurst (left) and Frankie Gavin

Winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games hasn't altered the finances of Don Broadhurst or Frankie Gavin, but they are on the verge of becoming household names.

Birmingham's brightest boxing hopes spent nine days plastered all over the BBC as a nation chomping on their breakfast lapped up every cough, spit and splutter of the Commonwealth Games.

Eight of the 11 English boxers brought medals home and that percentage (76 per cent) was better than any other team in the whole of this sporting extravaganza.

Before jetting off to Melbourne, Gavin and Broad-hurst met up for a pre-Games photo shoot outside the Bull Ring and were largely ignored by the general public of the Second City.

However, resplendent in the England tracksuits and with medals draped around their neck, it was a vastly different story yesterday. A host of well-wishers from all ages took pictures and asked for autographs.

The big promoters are already circling round Broadhurst (22) and Gavin (20), whose resolve to stay as amateurs will be sorely tested over the next 12 months.

Nevertheless while our football teams continue to flounder, it is refreshing to meet a brace of self-effacing individuals whose talent is finally receiving the recognition it deserves.

"People are stopping me in the street to sign autographs. That's never happened before," said a bemused Gavin. "It was a great achievement, but I think there is far more to come from me," added the lightweight who has been likened to Amir Khan.

"The main reason I won the Commonwealth games was because of my coaches at Hall Green ABC. Tom Chaney and Steve McHale have made me the boxer I am while I owe a lot to the chairman Bill Meddings.

"When I was a young kid he used to take me to training. It might be raining, but he would wait for over an hour while I did my work and made sure I got home safely. You don't forget that.

"They are the unsung heroes. When I won, it was dedicated to Hall Green, as everything I did came from the heart."

Broadhurst is equally gushing in his praise of Aston ABC and cited coaches John Homer and Leon Tunicliffe as his role models.

"Our club has had a great year and we have got schoolboy champions and lots of people like me waiting to come through," said Broadhurst.

"John and Leon engender a fantastic spirit throughout and you will have to watch out for my 17-year-old brother. He is far better than I was at his age."

There is genuine affection between the two boxers as they goad and chide each other thought the interview. Perhaps it's to be expected after spending such a long time in each other's company.

Countless international tournaments have seen the duo fly the flag for Birmingham without so much as a column inch or soundbite.

However, even if fame and fortune beckons, the Commonwealth Games has left an indelible mark on their lives.

"I was concerned before the tournament as I didn't use my left hand for two-and-a-half weeks, because every time I had tried to use it I felt sore," added Gavin.

"I didn't go on the pads until ten minutes before my first fight, but I beat Ovidu Bobirnat and he was my toughest opponent. He was the kid to beat.

"I have definitely got my sights set on Beijing."

"I always said I was going to get gold," interjected the feisty Broadhurst. "I am confident and bit cocky but I always believed in myself.

"There was a lot of pressure on my first fight as I was the last English fighter to box and I was up against an Aussie in front of a partisan crowd. They were loud and very anti-English, so it was a fantastic atmosphere.

"I got better as the tournament progressed. I was on form in the final and my body shots and timing were unbelievable. My power and strength overwhelmed him.

"Not everyone was tipping me. I've more confidence in myself than other people have. I'm not your typical counter-punching amateur."

They might have skipped the closing ceremony for a night on the tiles in Melbourne but after weeks of austerity, who can blame them? There was no sign of any front-page news after their celebrations, so it looks as though Birmingham may just have found itself a pair of stars who know the rules.

Humility and fame - whisper it quietly and it might just catch on.