When Gavin Rees steps into the ring in New Jersey this coming Saturday, the odds will be long against the Welshman. In most cases this might be deemed strange, for he is no pushover, no journeyman and nobody’s soft touch. He is in fact a former world titleholder and current reigning European Lightweight champion. In this particular case, however, it is who he enters the ring to face that causes the balance of expectation to shift against him.
Opposite Rees will stand Adrien Broner, a man long considered one of boxing’s hottest prospects, and a fighter who last time out enjoyed a breakout performance. It was Broner’s cocksure display last November, when he tactically broke down Mexican warrior Antonio DeMarco, that caused many boxing aficionados to swell in proclaim for the braggadocios young American. Touted as a prodigy, many who saw him as nothing more than a wannabe or a poor man’s Floyd Mayweather were forced to eat their words as he began to justify the Ring magazine cover and incessant hype, and earned his way onto the pound for pound list.
For Broner, this fight provides him with another opportunity to showcase his talents, while it also provides Rees with the chance to upset the applecart on a grand scale. Read on for a preview and prediction for the weekend’s Broner vs. Rees battle.
Broner vs. Rees Video Preview & Promo
The Combatants
Physical Make-Up
At 23, Broner is the younger man by nine years, yet both fighters step into the ring with recorded similarities in height (5 ft 7). Broner’s 71-inch reach, however, provides a seven-inch advantage over Rees.
Broner only recently joined the lightweight scene after he won his first world title at Super Featherweight, though his well-reputed struggles to make the 130 lb limit showcased a growing physique. He looked muscular and strong in his lightweight title victory over DeMarco, suggesting there should be no concerns surrounding his ability to make 135 lbs for the time being.
Rees grew to prominence as a light welterweight. It was there that he shocked many with his world title winning performance against Souleymane M’Baye, but it was also evident that he would be even better off at a lower weight more suited to his shorter frame. Since shedding a few pounds for all of his last five fights, Rees has looked sharper and faster, something that can only serve him well as he stands on the verge of his biggest test to date.
Mental Make-Up
Adrien Broner is a confident and charismatic young man who has made it apparent he doesn’t care overtly regarding what other people think of him. Some may see him as arrogant, but it is this staunch self-belief that could be his most dangerous weapon. He has yet to lose, though he has come close, and he carries the air of an undefeated fighter into the ring with him. His can be an intimidating presence, as evidenced by the confused look on Antonio DeMarco’s face as he slunk to defeat and had his belt ripped from him by Broner last year.
Rees has had a tougher rise to this current point to date. His face may not show it, but his mind will carry with him scars of a grueling stoppage defeat at the hands of technically sound Ukrainian Andriy Kotelnik, to whom he gave up his light welterweight title in his first defense. Rees is, however, on the crest of recent improvement in form and as such, will enter the ring with renewed optimism. Added to this the fact that Rees does not have to cope with the weight of expectations outside of those of him and his team, and he can enter the ring burden free, with the vigor and purpose of an underdog with a great opportunity.
Technical Make-Up
Although they share physical similarities, Broner is likely to fight tall with his shoulder-roll defense, while Rees is more likely to box out of a slight crouch. Broner’s ability to control the ring is key to his success; he fought the large majority of his win against DeMarco in ring-center without needing to shift his feet and break too much of a sweat. An athlete Broner may be, but you won’t find him running once in the ring. As well as a ring general, Broner is a good punch-picker: wasted shots are not on his agenda, and he also likes to bang to the body.
Rees has used his skill set more often in recent fights. He has a solid jab to set up his work and the ring IQ not to find himself chasing shadows, even against an opponent with Broner’s footwork. Rees carries a relaxed guard and gets in and out of range at speed. He is also an effective swarmer up close.
Broner vs. Rees Prediction
I expect Rees to be relatively tentative in the opening proceedings. Broner will likely find and command the center of the ring, though it is important that Rees does not allow the American to fight at his own pace.
Once settled, Rees will likely try to get within range and make life difficult for Broner. This is Rees’ best chance of success, as trying to find Broner with a jab can be akin to trying to swat a fly with your bare hands. Broner will engage Rees to begin with, and in doing so may take a few shots, but once they have both realized that Rees cannot hurt Broner, it will be Broner’s turn to take the fight to Rees.
Broner will begin to lower Rees’ guard by sinking in some sickening body shots, and as Rees starts to breathe heavily around the mid rounds, Broner will go in for the finish. The end will come sometime around the 8th, as Broner starts to overwhelm Rees with his fast hands and precise punching.
A brave effort from the Welshman, but ultimately, Broner’s hand will be raised at the end of a vicious yet pragmatic beat down.
