Unbeaten WBC lightweight champion Adrien “The Problem” Broner returns to Boardwalk Hall to face once-beaten Gavin Rees
ATLANTIC CITY NJ, WBC Lightweight Title fight Adrien Broner(pink trunks w/white trim) KO's Antonio DeMarco (black trunks, yellow trim) @1:49 of round 8 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, on Saturday November 17, 2012. Photo: Tom Briglia
Speed, power and flamboyancy is what every observer has seen of Adrien Broner thus far in his relatively short boxing career.
This past November, Atlantic City played host to Broner when he faced Antonio Demarco for Demarco’s WBC world lightweight championship at Boardwalk Hall. When the smoke all cleared, everyone in attendance left the arena satisfied — except perhaps Demarco who left a former champion, losing by eighth-round technical knockout.
Known as “The Problem,” Broner, (25-0, 21 knockouts), brings his brand of boxing excitement back to Boardwalk Hall this Saturday, Feb. 16, where he looks to again bring problems to his opponent in the first defense of his newly acquired world title against Gavin Rees, 37-1-1 (18 KOs), from Newbridge, Wales, United Kingdom.
Rees, who briefly held the WBA 140-pound title but lost it in his first defense, made the decision to move down to the lightweight division, where he won the European and British lightweight belts on the way and earned the shot at Broner’s world strap.
“I was never a 140 [pound] fighter, but going down to 135 I’ve seen no titles being offered,” says Rees.
“They offered the 140 so I obviously took it. I won that title [then] defended it and lost it. I liked the party life so I didn’t train [and] didn’t really like boxing at the time, so I knuckled down after I lost and I came down to 135 and I won at the next level.”
When asked if he thought he could stack up against Broner’s ability, especially after seeing how easily the 23-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio, native took apart Demarco (who was considered one of the very best in the division) Rees replied, “Yeah, of course, I’m a fighter. I’m a real fighter. I’ll go in there to fight anybody. I know he’s a great fighter [but] I’m going over there to give the fight of my life and I know it’ll be one hell of a fight. So, I’m fully confident. I’ve got a game plan, so we’ll see on the night what happens.”
From Broner’s standpoint, things won’t change from his previous 25 outings.
Never at a loss for words, Broner stated, “Listen, with Adrien Broner anything is possible. I don’t get hit that much. I don’t. I’m just being honest, I don’t get hit that much and my fights don’t last that long. I’m not saying that I’m coming in looking for a knockout, but I’m just blessed with the best of both worlds. I’ve got the speed and I’ve got power in both hands, so it only takes one mistake.”
Atlantic City has become synonymous with big fights. It also has a long history that will forever be linked with some of the very best fighters as they’ve made their ascensions to the top of the sport.
A comprehensive schedule of upcoming fights in Atlantic City with all the details on every fighter stepping into the ring. Upcoming boxing events include Joe Deguardia's Star Boxing, Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Jorge Solis, Sergio Martinez against Darren Barker, and the Super Six World Boxing Classic.
In one corner, there is a champion in Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik making the first defense of his WBC and WBO middleweight crowns. The Youngstown, Ohio resident brings a ring record of 33-0, 29 KOs. I...
Professional prize fighting has the WBC (World Boxing Council), the WBA (World Boxing Association) and the IBF (International Boxing Federation) as the big three organizations that dominate the sport...
1. nORMA said... on Feb 15, 2013 at 03:45PM
“IT'S AMAZING THAT BANKS WOULD HAVE BEEN AN UNDERDOG AGAIN? HE KNOCKED HIS BLOCK OFF AND CLEANED HIS CLOCK IN THE 1ST MEETING...WHAT DO ODDS MAKERS THINK WILL HAPPEN AGAIN? i'LL TAKE THAT EASY MONEY!”