Rees ready to be Prizefighter (From South Wales Argus)

Rees ready to be Prizefighter

11:30am Thursday 3rd December 2009

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FORMER WBA light-welterweight champion Gavin ‘The Rock’ Rees insists he is ready to step back into the big time by winning Prizefighter tomorrow night.

The power punching knockout specialist from Newbridge has fought only once since losing his WBA title to Andreas Kotelnik in March 2008 – the only defeat of his 29-fight career.

However, the Calzaghe Promotions fighter insists ring rust will not be an issue, believing he has a style that is ideally suited to the competition that has created new stars of the sport.

Rees will need to win three three-round fights to take the title, but insists class will tell and that he’ll show why he’s the bookies favourite to take the title in the event televised live on Sky Sports in London.

“This is one of the best ever line-ups in Prizefighter, there are a lot of talented guys in it and a lot of class, but I am the best of the lot and I’ll show that on Friday by winning the tournament,” he said.

“This is a huge chance for me and one that I am determined to take, I can put myself back on the boxing map, if I win Prizefighter it will be impossible for people to ignore me any longer.

“My style suits the format perfectly. I am a fast starter, I am relentless in the way I box, I throw more shots, I land more shots and I have a good chin. This tournament suits me down to the ground.”

The only question mark pundits seem to have against Rees is an issue of size. As a natural lightweight Rees will be the smallest man in the competition, though he doesn’t consider that to be a problem.

“For a start, I am the only world champion in the tournament and I won the world title at light welterweight,” he said.

“I have been sparring with Bradley Pryce who is a light-middleweight and Tony Doherty who is also bigger, so that’s helped with my strength.

“But the training routine has been the same as if I was going into a 12-rounder.

“I am happy enough with the draw, I face Young Mutley in the first round (a former British champion) and I believe he’s past his best.

“I feel I am on the better side of the draw, I would expect to face David Barnes or Colin Lynes in the final, but there are two other Welsh fighters (Barrie Jones and Jason Cook) in the mix as well.

“But none of them will stop me, I am going to win it and then move back down to lightweight, hopefully to face (British champion) John Murray.

“I want to be a champion again, tomorrow is the first step.”

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