GAVIN Rees took the disappointment at being pulled out of a world super-featherweight title clash in America out on Kenyan rival Michael Muya with a devastating two-round stoppage at the Newport Centre on Saturday.

And now the 23-year-old Newbridge puncher is chasing British and world title shots at lightweight after his spectacular debut at the heavier weight.

Rees was prevented from meeting Mike Anchondo in Dallas this month for the super-featherweight crown when the British Boxing Board of Control decided he could not safely make the limit in time after a pre-trip weigh-in.

Rees and trainer Enzo Calzaghe insist he could have made the weight easily, but instead Muya, never previously stopped, was put in at lightweight and Rees destroyed him in 2min 3sec of round two after a powerful display of non-stop punching.

After softening Muya up in the first with a succession of body shots, Rees continued in round two before a left hook dropped Muya for eight.

After he got up, Rees caught him with a right to the head, and when he went down again Maesteg referee Mike Hetherwyck stepped in to prevent further punishment as the unbeaten Rees made it 21 wins out of 21.

"It didn't feel as if I'd been away at all, let alone 13 months. I felt great. My jab was working well and I went for my body shots and they did the job," said a bubbling Rees afterwards.

"To be honest the fight's a blur. I was throwing everything at him, and they all landed as well. When he went down I could tell he was dazed, and I finished him.

"I'd like to box Graham Earl or Steve Murray (who fight on July 30) at Cardiff in September (when it is hoped Joe Calzaghe, Rees' friend and stablemate, will return to action) for the British title, but there are not many good lightweights in Britain so I'll be after a world title.

"I'll go in against anybody. I know if I catch them they'll drop.

"It was disappointing to lose out on the super-featherweight title challenge in America, but you have to take these things as a professional. I've lost a lot of fights in my career, mainly through injury.

"I've fought featherweight, super-featherweight and now lightweight, and this is the best I've felt. I felt stronger and felt I had more stamina, and the few shots he hit me with didn't affect me at all.

"If they give me another world title opportunity at super-featherweight I can make the weight but, if not, I'll stick at lightweight."

Trainer Enzo Calzaghe commented: "Gavin's not 21-0 by a fluke. He's under-rated, although he's the No 1 WBO contender for the super-featherweight crown.

"But the question still is, 'is he the real stuff?' and I want to find that out for myself. The question you always ask is, 'how tough is he when the going gets tough?'

"Today I was only worried would Gav perform to the ability he shows in the gym?

"There were a lot of questions to be asked against Muya, who has been the distance with a Commonwealth champion and other tough fighters.

"As far as I'm concerned Gavin answered the questions.

"He went out from the start with so much belief, so much technical ability, so much power, and if he can do that round after round he can beat anyone.

"The minimum I'm looking for now is a British title shot at lightweight. I want to leapfrog to the major league. Gav's shown he's ready."