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Promoter Eddie Hearn believes that Gavin Rees must shine in Paris tonight live on Sky Sports 4 and HD4 from 9pm in his European lightweight title defence against Anthony Mezaache – with a big performance putting him back in World title contention.
Former WBA light welterweight king Rees faces the Frenchman in the Gymnase Georges-Racine in Clichy la Garenne, just outside the capital and a venue that the former champion Mezaache has won his last three fights in.
Hearn says that this is exactly the type of assignment that Rees needs to tackle and pass with flying colours if he’s going to go on to fulfil his dream of becoming a two-weight World Champion, and added that big matches with British rivals Ricky Burns, John Murray, Kevin Mitchell and Anthony Crolla could also be on the cards for The Rock.
“This is an important fight for Gavin as there’s a lot happening in the division domestically,” said Hearn. “An away trip is always interesting and I think it adds a bit of excitement.
“Gavin’s at the stage now where he needs to be taking the big fights, we looked at the offer to travel to Paris and it was a lucrative one and a challenge Gavin was happy to take. It’s always difficult fighting away from home but we’ve had fights in the venue before and it’s not a hostile environment and Gavin’s got a good few fans travelling over too and they’ll make themselves heard.”
Rees’ trainer Gary Lockett has been delighted with the 31 year olds preparation for the fight, and is pleased that the former WBA light welterweight champion has thrown himself into the new training regime that he brought in along with nutritionist Renzo Algieri.
“Training has gone really well, we’ve done a lot more sparring than what we usually do, over 140 rounds in total, so he’s ready,” said Lockett.
“Gavin is coming up to 32 so he’s picking up little niggles a little easier than he used to. But apart from that he’s in fantastic shape.
“Anthony has a good record but we see weaknesses in his make-up. I don’t think he’s a particularly hard puncher, he’s tough and he’s a bit of a spoiler, but we’ve covered all bases in training.
“The changes and improvements in Gavin’s diet and shape is 99 per cent down to him. I bought Renzo as his nutritionist and I know a lot about that but if Gavin wasn’t totally committed to it, then we wouldn’t see this huge improvement.”
For Rees, the target is simple – defend his European title then hunt down a World title shot later this year, taking out some big Brits on the way.
“I don’t mind who I have to fight to win a World title,” said Rees. “But I’d love a fight with Kevin Mitchell too. It’s a fight that I think I’d win but it’d be a cracker and one that fight fans and Sky Sports would love to see.”
Rees weighed in at 9st 8lb yesterday, with challenger Mezaache scaling 9st 8lb 8oz.
