Eddie Hearn says that Gavin Rees’ fearless performance against Adrien Broner for the WBC World lightweight title in Atlantic City on Saturday will lead to another World title challenge in 2013.
Rees’ brave effort ended on the cusp of the bell to end the entertaining contest in the fifth round – with the Welshman earning plaudits from fans and pundits both stateside and in Britain for his gutsy display.
Hearn has already begun plotting Rees’ next move and said that the reaction to his performance could prompt a return to America, but that a big UK fight is also a possibility as ‘The Rock’ continues his quest to become a two-weight World champion.
“Gavin’s performance won him many admirers in America,” said Hearn. “He is a true warrior and we have already been approached about further fights for Gavin in the US in early summer.
“His stock however has also been raised significantly in the UK and there are still some big domestic opportunities available to him here. All in all the future is very bright for Gavin and the plan is too pick up another World title shot before the end of 2013.”
Rees took the fight to Broner in the opening round and enjoyed flashes of success but afterwards he admitted that the Cincinnati superstar was too powerful for him, with Rees floored in the fourth and fifth rounds.
“I knew he hit hard, but his power just stunned me,” said Rees. “I got reckless and that was the end of the night, but I was always going to get back up.
“He’s the best I have ever been in with. It is not a case of whether he will go on to be a super star… he is already there. I made a lot of mistakes and I believe I have a better skill set than that.
“I would have gone on until I was knocked out cold. I disagree with Gary [Lockett, trainer] pulling me out, but he knows that I would have gotten hurt. We are good friends and he was just looking out for me.”
