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Gavin Rees agrees terms to face Adrien Broner

Phil D. Jay 
WBN Editor
Picture by Greig Bertram
Promoter Hearn strikes title deal for Welshman in February

Former light-welterweight world champion Gavin Rees is set to challenge WBC lightweight title holder Adrien Broner on February 16 in Atlantic City after promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the news earlier today.

Initial terms for a bout between the two have been agreed, according to Hearn - with an exchange of contracts seemingly the final hurdle to sealing the Welshman’s first trip to the United States next year.

The 32 year-old had been rumoured to be in line to fight for the vacant WBA title over the past few months, but Hearn stepped up his efforts to find an alternative route once Richard Abril and Sharif Bogere were preferred.

Rees will now attempt to become the first fighter to defeat formidable two-weight world champion Broner, 23, as the American has put together a tremendous run of 21 stoppages in 25 victories since turning professional.

‘The Problem’ has ended thirteen of his contests within three rounds and broken through to number 20 in the WBN Pound for pound Top 50 in 2012 after previously being un-ranked. The bout against Rees will represent Broner's first defence of the belt he ripped away from rugged Mexican Antonio DeMarco in eight pulverising rounds last month as he captured his second world title.

Broner has also now been added to the undercard of Floyd Mayweather's WBC welterweight title defence against rumoured opponent Robert Guerrero on May 4 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after striking up an unlikely friendship with boxing's biggest star recently.

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