While fireworks are expected tonight when Frankie Gavin and Denton Vassell take to the ring to face each other in a solid all-British clash, there seems no doubt that tomorrow night will be even more explosive. Although in a fight featuring a much clearer favourite, no boxing fan is under the false illusion that Gavin Rees vs Anthony Crolla will be anything other than a belter. Gavin Rees can feel no shame in his performance last time out against Adrien Broner, where he was halted in 5 one-sided rounds. On that February night, Broner proved to be a level above the Welshman, and Rees never had a chance to impose himself on the fight. Although in small spurts he did have success.
What Gavin has a chance to do on Saturday is to cement his place above his fellow domestic rivals. He already has a win over Derry Matthews, and adding Anthony Crolla will put himself in a solid position to take on stablemate and WBO Lightweight champion, Ricky Burns.
But lest we forget that Rees' opposite number will be fired up by that exact same incentive. A victory over a former world champion and winning the WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight title will shift Anthony Crolla into a solid position to challenge the Scotsman, Ricky Burns.
If one is to judge a fight on common opponents then the way that Rees bullied Derry Matthews in both their fights, compared to the way Crolla struggled to cope with the Liverpool man in their own sequel suggests that Rees has the huge upper hand. Yet common opposition rarely expose the true story.
While 'Million Dollar' Crolla - 25-4-1(9) - has shown great durability and solid boxing skills, I find it very hard to look past the ever-motoring Gavin Rees. Crolla lacks pop to bother the Welsh fighter, leaving the 40 fight veteran to steam roll forward. At 37-2-1(18), Rees is the pick to step on the gas after 3 rounds, and following countless scary moments for Crolla the referee will step in to halt the contest around the 9th round.
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