Rees Has A Problem

[Adam Smith]

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Carl Frampton passed a genuine gut check on Saturday night with a very impressive win over European champion Kiko Martinez. This was the first time Frampton was genuinely tested, forced onto on the back foot and ate some heavy shots but he boxed clever, let his relentless opponent tire and finished the job in decisive fashion in round nine. This was the first time the experienced Martinez had ever been down never mind stopped so you can’t help but to be impressed by Frampton.

After just 16 fights Frampton has acquired a decent record and claimed the Commonwealth and European super bantamweight titles in the process. UK fight fans are demanding a domestic showdown with Scott Quigg but that is likely to be well off with the WBC and IBF titles vacant and winnable. I think Frampton needs one more outing before a world title shot and he’s certainly on the right track with the IBF as he carries their inter-continental belt.

Lee Selby and Martin Lindsay served up entertaining support to the main event in Belfast. Selby ran out a wide margin points winner but the judges scorecards didn’t tell the whole story. Lindsay started the better before Selby landed a barrage of viscous body punches in rounds two and three and the home town challenger did well to stay on his feet. A Selby knockout looked likely at that stage but Lindsay battled on well to hear the final bell. Selby is quickly running out of domestic competition at featherweight and should move on to European level next time out.

Andy Lee made a ring return on the undercard but didn’t impress against big underdog Anthony Fitzgerald. This was Lee’s first fight with new trainer Adam Booth and we’re starting to discover why Booth doesn’t train many fighters. His previous clients have been well suited to his back foot, counter punch, often negative approach. Andy Lee’s style does not fit that criteria. He’s an aggressive, come forward man and the closet thing Manny Steward had to Tommy Hearns.

The British middleweight seen is buzzing and Matthew Macklin and, more likely, Darren Barker would jump at the chance to fight Lee.

This Week’s Action

Adrien 'The Problem' Broner is widely touted as the next Floyd Mayweather. Confident, talented outspoken and undefeated. The Cincinnati motor mouth aims to make it 26 straight wins against Gavin Rees this Saturday in Atlantic City. Broner is a massive favourite with the bookies at just 1/33 with Rees a top price of 16/1. Even Fraudley Harrison was a shorter price to beat David Haye a fight where he landed only one punch! Rees should land more than one punch this weekend but he faces a massive task against the slippery Broner.

Rees is significantly shorter than the WBC lightweight champion and will struggle to get close. The Welshman isn’t known as a massive puncher either so it’s easy to see why the oddsmakers give him little to no chance. Rees deserves his shot having only been beaten once in 39 outings, losing his WBA light welterweight title in 2008, and putting together a string of decent wins at European level since then. Hats off to him for taking the toughest test out there and they'll certainly be less worthy 'world title' challengers this year. Ricky Burns and Frank Warren take note.

It’s all about Broner in my opinion. In his first fight up at 135lbs last time out he surprised many by meeting Antonio DeMarco face on and destroying the very useful Mexican in eight rounds. For me it’s a question of when not if Broner wins by stoppage. Rees tends to lunge in with his punches due to his stocky build, especially the straight right which he really steps in with. This will enable the slick Broner to create angels and look for the counter uppercuts. This could be over early if Broner wants it to be.

23-year-old Broner is moving through the weights quickly and I’d wait to see if he can make the lightweight limit before looking to have a bet. Has he overlooked the little know Rees? He even claimed not to know Rees’ name at a press conference this week.

The undercard at Boardwalk Hall is almost non existent so it’ll be a no bet affair.

The News

This week IBF bantamweight champion Leo Santa Cruz relinquished his title having seemingly ran out of options at 118lbs. In steps Doncaster man Jamie McDonnell who is no.1 ranked with the IBF. The European champion has been biding his time and will now fight for the vacant title.

The Bet

Keep your eye on Friday’s weigh in in Atlantic City. Will Broner make weight? If not, has he slacked off in training? One thing I would put money on is Rees giving it his all and trying to take Broner’s head off. Unfortunately those pesky bookies don’t offer this market.


Quote Of The Week

“It’s been frustrating, I could probably do with having a politics degree rather than mathematics.”

WBO light heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly is the first to admit he had a disappointing 2012 despite remaining undefeated and he hopes the unification fights will happen in 2013.

[BigDigga]

i imagine rees is going to try and use his strength to bully broner and rough him up. this is why idiots like enzo are thinking he wins. strength doesn't pay the bills........skills do

[Elephant Man]

Gavin by brutal Martinez - Williams type KO

[Ghost with a hammer]

Rees is a smart fighter.....i see him looking after himself and looking to counter.....he'll want to try and take Broner to the late rounds and hope his stamina fails him......dont see that happening but Gav wont be gung ho.