Rees title bid delayed till July. Sprott v Skelton may also move...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6584845.stm


Welshman Gavin Rees's world title fight against Frenchman Souleymane M'baye has been postponed.
Rees was supposed to face the WBA light welterweight champion at the ExCel Arena in London on 26 May.

Matt Skelton's Commonwealth heavyweight title defence against Michael Sprott goes ahead at the ExCel Arena.

Rees had been meant to appear on the Skelton-Sprott promotion, but a date has yet to be determined for the rearranged fight.

WALES' WORLD CHAMPIONS
Percy Jones (World flyweight champion, 1914)
Freddie Welsh (World lightweight champion, 1914-17)
Jimmy Wilde (World flyweight champion, 1916-23)
Howard Winstone (WBC featherweight champion, 1968)
Steve Robinson (WBO featherweight champion, 1993-95)
Robbie Regan (IBF flyweight champion, 1995, WBO bantamweight champion, 1996)
Barry Jones (WBO super featherweight champion, 1997)
Joe Calzaghe (WBO super middleweight champion, 1997-, IBF super middleweight champion 2006)
Enzo Maccarinelli (WBO cruiserweight champion, 2006-)

Rees believes that when he does get his chance, the great tradition of Welsh boxing will help him take M'baye's title.

"There's a proud tradition of champions from Wales and I plan to join the greats. I've waited years for this.

"I've had the privilege of training with Joe Calzaghe since I've been a pro and recently with Enzo Maccarinelli.

"I've waited years for this. M'Baye is an excellent champion but I'm taking his title, there's nothing he can do."

Unbeaten Newbridge man Rees has a record of 26-0 (13 KOs), but M'Baye will be a significant step up in class.

Weight problems cost Rees - known as 'the Rock' - a world title shot in 2004, while injury and ill-discipline have also held the talented fighter back.

Frenchman M'Baye, 32, holds a record of 35-1-1 (20 KOs).

The Paris man claimed the vacant WBA title with a fourth-round TKO of Raul Horacio Balbi in Bolton in September.

His first defence, against Andreas Kotelnik in Liverpool in March, was a 12-round draw.

M'Baye's only defeat was in a shot at then-WBA champion Vivian Harris' title in 2003.

The Frenchman dropped a 12-round points decision in Las Vegas, his only fight outside Europe.

"Gav is a quality fighter and there might be a surprise in store for M'Baye next month," said Rees' trainer Enzo Calzaghe.

"He's in great shape because he fought in Cardiff earlier this month, and he's got so much talent."


Swansea's WBO cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli, a stable-mate of Rees, will be back in action on 7 July.
Maccarinelli took his record to 26-1 (20 KOs) with a first-round demolition of Bobby Gunn at the Millennium Stadium earlier this month.