Rees ready after fight green light (From Campaign Series)

Rees ready after fight green light

11:00am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in Sport By Michael Pearlman

NEWBRIDGE puncher Gavin Rees will face John Murray at the London Olympia on December 8.

The London Olympia bill, to be screened live on Sky Sports, will see former light welterweight world champion Rees hunting a shot at two-weight world rule, and victory over Murr-ay would strengthen his case.

Murray makes a welcome return to action a year after facing Brandon Rios for the WBA belt in December 2011. Prior to that contest in New York’s Madison Square Garden, the 27 year-old came out on the wrong side of the fight against Kevin Mitchell at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

Rees is on course for a world title shot at lightweight in early 2013 and should face Richard Abril as he’s currently ranked number two on the WBA rankings.

Rees is arguably in the form of his career. In March he travelled to Paris and defended his European title in Anthony Mezaa-che’s hometown with a seventh round stoppage before a clinical performance against Derry Mathews in Sheffield in July when he added the British belt to his Euro strap with a ninth round win.

“I am over the moon to get this fight made,” said promoter Eddie Hearn.

“It’s one that I’ve wanted to make for a while and one that Gavin wants badly.

“They say styles make fights and we know what we are going to get with this one – December 8 is going to be an epic night.”

Tickets for Betfair’s ‘Christmas Cracker’ are on sale now priced £40 unreserved, £60 corner ringside, £80 ringside and £150 VIP. Tickets are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and at www.matchroomboxing.com