On February 16, 2013 Gavin “The Rock” Rees 37-1-1 will take on Adrien “The Problem” Broner 25-0-0 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. I see this being 12 rounds of excitement if it goes the distance. Neither Broner nor Rees are going to make this easy on the other. This being Rees first fight in the United States gives him a very good reason to bring more than his “A” Game and has a lot to prove. With only one loss back in 2008 against Andriy Kotelnyk which was lost by TKO. Rees is a solid performer and not an easy fight by any means.
We all know Broner is going to try and get inside Gavin’s head as was heard on the live teleconference. Broner telling Rees, “It’s going to be a long night!” Rees answered back with, “It’s going to be a long night for you, Broner!” Rees followed that up with thanking Broner for keeping his belt warm.
Rees did hold the world title at 140 but maybe he is best suited at the 135 lb. division. Rees has admitted on several occasions that it was due to not training hard enough. Rees said, “I was partying and I liked that life so I didn’t train.” He then even went on to explain that before the loss, he didn’t really like the sport but the loss changed that. “I knuckled down and I came back down to 135 and I won at the next level”.
“I will fight anybody at any time and I am ready to give the fight of my life.” There was an extreme amount of conviction in his voice. Rees went on to mention that sometimes luck has some play because he had a fight scheduled and just before Christmas the opponent cancelled and now he is fighting Broner.
Things sometimes just fall into place and as Rees explained, “It’s not about the money, it’s about the opportunity and the recognition and I will get it after this fight!” Rees definitely deserves the fight and we all know Broner will not be easy for him and he will train hard and be prepared. Rees mentioned that Broner has to have a good team and he acknowledged that he has his own style. We all know Broner has his antics and that can be a distraction to any fighter. But as Rees said, “If he wants his hair brushed, I will brush it for him.”
There is a ten year difference in experience and ten more fights for Rees. Rees has turned his life around and I hope it’s not too late. He also is extremely excited about fighting in the United States. “Every fighters dream is to fight in America and to fight the champion and of course the dream of a title win.”
One advantage Rees has is that he is not a well-known fighter and Broner may not have as much to work with as he admitted. Exact words from Broner were “I don’t really know this guy.” Whereas Rees can find Broner with just a click of the mouse; every fight and every interview all for him to see and learn. He admitted watching the Demarco fight and said “That won’t be me, I am coming to fight”
Rees has been to United States, visiting Las Vegas and New York. He has seen Hopkins and Jones fight. So now it will be him in the ring here and his first time visiting Atlantic City, New Jersey; two firsts for Rees.
Rees is a solid fighter and Broner needed a challenge after Demarco. Rees is coming to America and looking to take full advantage of his oppurtunity.
