FORMER world champion Gavin Rees is putting it all on the line for a chance to return to the big time, having been announced as one of the most high profile entrants ever in the Prizefighter competition.

The former WBU world champion, known as ‘the Rock’ will feature in Prizefighter 8 on Friday, December 4 at London’s Olympia National Hall, including light welterweights for the first time as eight fighters clash in the successful competition, only won by earning victory in three three rounders.

Rees is the highest profile fighter in the competition and the early favourite with the bookies, despite fighting just once in 19 months and being up against a clutch of good fighters who will likely enter the ring a stone heavier than the Newbridge puncher.

Ted Bami, David Barnes, Jason Cook, Colin Lynes, Barry Morrison, Young Mutley and Lee Purdy are the other men battling it out for the £32,000-winning prize.

However, for Rees it’s much more about a chance to return to the spotlight, an opportunity he insists he’s ready to take.

“I am very excited, I want to get back on the map and this is the best way to do it,” he said.

“I think the format suits me down to the ground, I’ve got a good chin and love to get stuck in and the fact that there are some big names in there is good because my win will mean more.

“If I go flat out for nine rounds it’ll be hard for the others to keep up with me and hopefully it’ll act as a springboard for a title fight in 2010.”

Our first ever light-welterweights Prizefighter brings together a field of competitors that would grace any top-line bill,” said promoter Barry Hearn.

“It’s amazing to get all this talent in one room for one night’s boxing and even more amazing when they’re going to battle down to one champion on one night.”

Meanwhile, Rees isn’t the only Gwent boxer currently training for an upcoming fight, with a host of St Joseph’s stablemates either preparing for action or coming off the back of good performances.

Youngster Fred Evans, one of a host of St Joseph’s men currently representing Wales in their series against the USA, won handsomely last Friday at the Welsh Institute of Sport, beating his opponent on points 20-7.

Jason Evans and Shaun McGoldrick fight this Friday in Swansea, also competing against the USA.

In the professional ranks, newcomer to the St Joseph’s gym, Chris Higgs made it 5-0 as a professional with an unexpected victory last weekend, the lightweight overcoming durable opponent Dean Mills over six twos in Torquay. The Lydney fighter is described by trainer Tony Borg as a top prospect.

As mentioned in last week’s South Wales Argus, the top boy in the St Joseph’s gym, Gary Buckland, will be in action in Stoke on November 13, tackling Hungarian Istvan Nagy on a Hatton Promotions bill. The bill is headlined by Ricky’s brother Matthew Hatton, who competes against Lovemore N’Dou for the IBO welterweight crown at Fenton Manor, the first world title ever contested in Stoke, making it another good chance for Buckland to impress.

Another couple of fighters from the St Joseph’s stable, light heavyweight Justyn Hugh and middleweight Lee Churcher, both Newport boys, both undefeated and both huge tickets sellers, have been added to the Calzaghe Promotions bill at the Newport Centre on November 20.

For a chance to win tickets to the Calzaghe Bill, see the competition at the foot of this page.