Gavin Rees - come in 35 your time is up
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slapbangwhallop
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 2031
- Joined: 13 Dec 2010, 08:27
Gavin Rees - come in 35 your time is up
I reckon Andreas Kotelnik will take his belt away from him infront of his home crowd
Gavin Rees makes the first defence of his WBA light-welterweight title on home soil in Wales against mandatory challenger Andreas Kotelnik on March 22.
Venue is the Cardiff International Arena.
Unlikely Rees gave a fabulous display to rip the belt from Frenchman Souleymane MBaye on a shock (but comprehensive) decision in the same arena last July, forcing the taller Parisian to fight his fight - and there was only one winner on the inside. "The Rock", a chunky 5ft 3ins from the illustrious Enzo Calzaghe stable in Newbridge, is strong, bustling, heavy-handed, surprisingly quick and surprisingly cute.
A match for anyone.
But Kotelnik sees himself as the uncrowned champ after a controversial 12-round draw against the same MBaye in Liverpool last March - four months before Rees. The Ukrainian challenger really did look unlucky, as he pressed the action and put in a strong finish. Based in Hamburg, 30-year-old Kotelink is seasoned, sharp and accurate. He's lost only to MBaye (in a previous set-to) and current WBC light-welterweight champ Junior Witter in close ones in 31 outings and picked up lightweight silver in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where he dropped a 14-4 verdict in the final to Mario Kindelan (shades of Amir Khan four years later).
So this looks tough for 27-year-old Rees, who turned pro at 18 back in 1998 and has never lost. Indeed, he hasn't lost since the amateurs 14 years ago (shades of stablemate Joe Calzaghe). Make no mistake, the champion can fight.
In Wales, he has a much bigger shout than many anticipate.
Venue is the Cardiff International Arena.
Unlikely Rees gave a fabulous display to rip the belt from Frenchman Souleymane MBaye on a shock (but comprehensive) decision in the same arena last July, forcing the taller Parisian to fight his fight - and there was only one winner on the inside. "The Rock", a chunky 5ft 3ins from the illustrious Enzo Calzaghe stable in Newbridge, is strong, bustling, heavy-handed, surprisingly quick and surprisingly cute.
A match for anyone.
But Kotelnik sees himself as the uncrowned champ after a controversial 12-round draw against the same MBaye in Liverpool last March - four months before Rees. The Ukrainian challenger really did look unlucky, as he pressed the action and put in a strong finish. Based in Hamburg, 30-year-old Kotelink is seasoned, sharp and accurate. He's lost only to MBaye (in a previous set-to) and current WBC light-welterweight champ Junior Witter in close ones in 31 outings and picked up lightweight silver in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, where he dropped a 14-4 verdict in the final to Mario Kindelan (shades of Amir Khan four years later).
So this looks tough for 27-year-old Rees, who turned pro at 18 back in 1998 and has never lost. Indeed, he hasn't lost since the amateurs 14 years ago (shades of stablemate Joe Calzaghe). Make no mistake, the champion can fight.
In Wales, he has a much bigger shout than many anticipate.
Last edited by bennie on 07 Feb 2008, 07:36, edited 4 times in total.
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oliverfennell
- Heavyweight
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Chris W 1982
- Heavyweight
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