The vacant British lightweight title is up for grabs at Newport Leisure Centre tomorrow night as local boy Gavin Rees takes on undefeated John Watson to contest the strap.
For Rees it’s his latest attempt to get back up to world championship level, but in a weight class that he feels more comfortable in. Ever since his 2008 defeat to Andriy Kotelnik he has been working hard to get back to the elite.
The Welshman bounced back with victory in Prizefighter last year, again at light-welterweight, and then fought some tune-up fights against some second-tier fighters at his more natural 9st 9lb. In this division Rees looks much more at home and the British title would represent a great opportunity to climb the ladder.
“The Rock’s” opponent for the night, scouser John Watson is at a very different juncture of his career. Undefeated in 13 fights, Watson is a slick puncher mover with quick hands. The Dave Coldwell-trained fighter is improving the calibre of his opposition and has really upped the ante with this one, Rees is the most experienced fighter he has ever fought and also the only one to have a significant winning record.
In terms of his fighting ability Watson is brave and relies on the pace of his hands. He is very confident and a bit of a showboater often looking to wind up a bolo if he’s on top.
As for Rees, he has been around a while now. The Welshman has lost just once, to Kotelnik, in his 34 bouts. He is a likeable character outside the ring and often inside as well. Memorably when fighting Kotelnik in his corner in the 11th round his former trainer Enzo Calzaghe told him: “You've got to get the big shots going.” A wide grin formed on Rees battered face and he laughed in reply: “But I am hitting him with the big shots.”
Rees makes up for his short stature of 5ft 3in with a Jack Russell like approach. He’s a tough puncher and exciting to watch as nothing fazes him and he has no problem lining up against bigger fighters.
As a contest there is a nice contrast of styles on show. Watson brings the speed but Rees brings the grit. The Rock looks far happier at lightweight than he did at light-welter but his time fighting bigger pugilists will stand him in good stead. Rees will want to brawl and if Watson wants to stand a chance he has to prevent him doing this and sit back on the jab using his seven-inch height advantage, although he will probably come forward which would be akin to walking into a minefield.
This should be a great tear up with a good chance of a KO, Watson looks a good fighter, but Rees has genuine class and pedigree and ultimately Watson may well himself stuck between a Rock and a hard place.
Prediction: Rees eighth-round KO
As the more experienced fighter Rees should come through this test the better. Watson is by far the bigger man, but in truth Rees has fought his whole career with a height disadvantage so it makes little difference to him.
Watson will come out to impress and Rees needs to get to grips with his fast hand speed as soon as he can. If he can get in tight and take it to the inside he should start causing Watson all sorts of troubles and the 27-year old hasn’t got the experience to deal with an all out brawl like Rees can bring.
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