British Scene: Gavin Rees vs John Watson Preview

Andrew Harrison previews Saturday night's British Lightweight title clash between Gavin Rees and John Watson.  For more from Andrew, make sure to check out his blog: Safe Side of the Ropes.

Liverpool lightweight John Watson takes a leap of faith on Saturday evening when, after a mere thirteen contests, he shoots for the vacant British crown against the vastly more experienced Welshman, Gavin Rees. Opportunity knocked for the pair last month after John Murray called time on his domestic reign in order to pursue world honours, leaving a Lonsdale belt up for grabs in the process.

Rees (known as "The Rock") once held Amir Khan’s light welterweight alphabet title throughout a short-lived, eight month tenure, one bookended with a surprise victory over Frenchman Souleymane M’baye and a tough beatdown at the hands of the underrated Ukrainian, Andriy Kotelnik.

A product of Enzo Calzaghe’s Newbridge boxing club, Rees is a squat, two handed hustler. The Welshman has a good little jab which he’ll pop away with before drawing a counter to slip inside of, in order to deliver a barrage of quick shots. He’s tough with it too, a gnarly little battler with a good engine, although at 30, it remains to be seen exactly how much he has left in the gas tank.

Huyton stylist Watson has an excellent pedigree. The 2004 ABA champ at light welterweight, John served as chief sparring partner to the aforementioned Khan prior to the Bolton speedball’s successful Olympic campaign in Athens. After signing with Hayemaker Promotions in 2008, the collapse of Setanta Sports forced Watson to switch allegiances to Frank Maloney the following year. His best effort to date came two years back with a close, single point squeaker over Walsall tough Martin Gethin.

Big for the weight and quick on his feet, Watson motors well around the ring, looking to zero in on opponents with rangy, snappy shots before mixing in quick combinations. A more traditional stand-up boxer than his opponent, his style is still very much informed by his extensive grounding in the amateur code.

Rees is the older man by some three years and with a fine 33-1 (15) record, he holds a considerable advantage in terms of experience. After severing ties with Calzaghe, Rees now takes instruction from one time stablemate Gary Lockett, a partnership which has returned two victories down at lightweight.

Watson has experience in his corner in the shape of the canny Dave Coldwell, yet his in-ring education to this point is somewhat lacking. Despite a record of 13-0 (5), he was still boxing four rounders up until his tenth bout (against Gethin) which, it can be noted, is the only occasion he has ventured past round six. In fact, closer scrutiny of his ledger reveals that he has only actually faced four men with winning records.

Since the Kotelnik fight in March 2008, Rees has boxed six times. He eased himself back into action with a four round stoppage of journeyman Johnny Greaves before following that up with a trio of three round wins in 2009’s light welterweight Prizefighter competition (which he won). His two fights under Lockett since were relatively straightforward affairs, yet the fact they were scheduled for six could perhaps indicate a lack of fitness on the part of a man who has admitted to previous lapses in the gymnasium.

With such imponderables to consider when summing this one up, I’ve found it extremely difficult to suggest a likely winner. Watson, the taller man with a far greater wingspan will look to box Rees from range, hoping his freshness and ambition can carry him home. Whilst the Liverpudlian will be primed and motivated for the biggest fight of his career, I fancy that Rees will set too hot a pace for the younger man. In front of a boisterous home crowd at the Newport Centre in Wales, Rees can push his claims for a fight with Murray with a close, doggedly fought decision win.

Rees, who is rated third at the weight domestically by Boxing News starts favourite with odds of around 4/6, whilst Watson (rated sixth) can be backed somewhere in the region of 11/8. Sky Sports televise this Matchroom card live in the UK.