Gavin Rees will face Anthony Crolla as the chief support on the undercard of David Haye’s clash with Manuel Charr at the Manchester Arena on June 29, live on Sky Sports.
The Welshman returns to action after his brave World title challenge against Adrien Broner in Atlantic City in February and he takes on former British champion Crolla in a crucial clash for both their careers after ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla’s rematch with Derry Mathews in Liverpool in March ended in a draw with the Commonwealth title on the line.
“I cannot wait to get back into action,” said Rees. “I am itching to get another World title shot after fighting Broner. He is a megastar and will go on to do massive things in the game, but I feel that I can win another World title and this is a massive fight to prove I still have ambitions at that level.
“Anthony is a very good fighter and he put up a great performance in his rematch with Derry Mathews, and I think that the draw was the fair result. All-British clashes are always great to be a part of, with my own battle against Mathews a real cracking fight.
“This fight has been on the cards for a while and I know that Anthony’s trainer Joe Gallagher had his views on the fight when he said that Crolla was ‘European champion without the belt’. I’m putting everything into practice that I learnt from the Broner experience and take out Crolla in his backyard.”
Rees’ promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that many of the Matchroom Boxing stable will be in action in Manchester, with British and Commonwealth featherweight champion Lee Selby set to appear.
Tickets for ‘The Hayemaker is Back: Haye vs. Charr’ featuring Gavin Rees vs. Anthony Crolla, Lee Selby and other stars from the Matchroom Boxing stable are on sale now from the Manchester Arena box office on 0844 847 8000 and at www.eventim.co.uk
