TOUGH PRIZEFIGHTER START FOR FORMER WORLD CHAMPION REES

Posted on | November 20, 2009 | No Comments

FORMER WBA World Champion Gavin Rees will take on ex-European title holder Ted Bami in the quarter-finals of Prizefighter Light-Welterweights.

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jnr, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, performed the draw, which was broadcast on Sky Sports on Friday night.

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights takes place on Friday, December 4 at the National Hall, Olympia, London with eight of the best British light-welterweights competing for a top prize of £32,000.

Rees and Bami were two of the bookmakers’ favourites but one of them will be eliminated at the first phase after they were paired together in a mouth-watering clash.

Both men have a point to prove after recent setbacks. Rees lost his world title to Andriy Kotelnik last year, while Bami was stopped by Matthew Hatton in an IBO eliminator in March.

“Whoever wins Prizefighter will prove themselves as one of the best light-welterweights in the country,” said Brixton-based Bami.

“You have some big names in there with the likes of Gavin Rees, Colin Lynes, Young Muttley and David Barnes but no one has seen the best of me yet.”

Welshman Rees, who has only been beaten once in 29 professional contests, added: “A lot of people see me as the favourite to win Prizefighter but we will see what happens.

“I’ve had a long time out of the ring and I’ve come back hungrier than I’ve ever been. When I had the world title I was taking things for granted and didn’t think I could lose.

“But now I have three kids and I want to be a winner again. Losing a world title is gutting for anyone but I wasn’t training or eating properly.

“I’m more hungry to win this than when I was defending a world title and I have a lot to prove to a lot of people.”

Another quarter-final sees Colin Lynes and David Barnes, who have both been British Champions, fight each other, while another former British title holder, Young Muttley, takes on late replacement Barrie Jones.

Former European Lightweight Champion Jason Cook is involved in the opening fight of the night when he takes on undefeated londonder Michael Grant.

Each fight lasts a maximum of three rounds and four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and a final will all take place inside a frenetic three-hour period.

Tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £80 (reserved) and are available from See Tickets on 0870 903 9033, www.seetickets.com or from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900. All the action will also be screened live on Sky Sports 1.

Prizefighter Light-Welterweights
Friday, October 4
Quarter-final draw
1. Michael Grant (Tottenham, London) v Jason Cook (Maesteg, Wales)
2. Ted Bami (Brixton, London) v Gavin Rees (Newbridge, Wales)
3. Colin Lynes (Hornchurch, Essex) v David Barnes (Manchester)
4. Young Muttley (West Bromwich) v Barrie Jones (Newbridge, Wales)

Semi-final draw
1. Michael Grant or Jason Cook v Ted Bami or Gavin Rees
2. Colin Lynes or David Barnes v Young Muttley or Barrie Jones