how far can rees go

He can dominate at domestic level, maybe even pick up a euro title. But I doubt he'll do anything more.

 

I think he looked really good partly done to Watson being very tight. As the fight wore on he fell apart a bit and then come back strong like a true champion should.

I think he said he wants to claim the Lonsdale belt, i think he will try do that and then try grab a European title. Not sure he go beyond that level...he's had a few hard fights and his lifestyle doesn't help him longevity wise.

 

Brit/Euro level at most.
He'll get butchered at world level, unless he runs into another unfoccused-what am I doing here-has Ziggy found a way for me to make the leap out of this body-uninterested zombie in Mbaye.

 

Well hes made a great start getting back to the top in doing the simple thing like actually getting into shape! Lockett got him in great nick for the fight tonight and it clearly showed in his performance. He was faster, had better power and got his second wind late on in the fight to stop Watson.

Rees-Murray would be insanely good for the first 6 rounds IMO...I'd love to see that fight but I reckon he'd come unstuck in the later rounds against him.

He's Euro at the moment, but in this pretty shallow division at the moment its not out of the question he could pick up a title in the next couple years. But judging by his post fight interview hes doing the right thing and taking it slowly. Win the Lonsdale outright and then go for the Euro, which I guess Murray will have vacated by then.

Really impressed with him tonight though, hes had a harsh ride from the UK fans the last couple years, the criticism about his dedication and fitness was probably spot on but he showed some lovely skills tonight. Can't wait to see him again.

 

i think murrays next for him, late jan, early feb, good fight as well, rees showed some good and bad points, id just fancy murray, he seems to be more consistant over 12rnds, but its far from a foregone conclusion.:good

 

Euro level anyway. Watson is pretty enormous at this weight and I think his early domination made him too keen to go to war. He done well to stay upright in the middle rounds and he really showed guts to dig deep and keep fighting when he was hurting from the body shots.

What impressed me most was how he switched it up in the 10th to keep his distance and started nipping in and out. He got the knockdown and then cashed it in in the next round. Hopefully he has learned his lesson and will stick to what he's good at in his next fights.

Not good enough to beat the top operators but I think him and Murray would be a fine fight.

 

Rees was very impressive. He established his game much faster, got off first which was key and put rounds in the bank and took Watson's confidence away. I didn't realise how poor Watson's defence was. And what the heck was he doing just waiting and pawing with his jab? he made it kind of easy for Rees and showed his inexperience. Was getting countered over the top everytime he just laid his left out there and kept doing it.

Rees gassed and Watson was taking over the second half of the fight, he was still making the same mistakes...but there was a point where had he committed more to the body, when Rees was backing up on the ropes, at the end of the rounds he could've got at least a knockdown. The three things he need to do he didn't. That was to establish his jab, get off first and keep a good guard and bring those hands back quickly to not get countered. Rees dug it out, they both showed great heart and desire.

Rees will make a good fight with Murray, but will get stopped late. He has a better chance with Mitchell. I think he can get a Euro strap, but would like to see him in some more domestic dust ups. Maybe a rematch with Watson? which would be even better and closer IMO.

Very enjoyable contest.

 

He's a pretty good fighter. He can throw good combinations and he has some good handspeed. But his fitness is way below world level. That is probably the one thing that is keeping him down. World-class guys will let him punch himself out after the first 4 rounds and then take him out in the later rounds, when he is tired and vulnerable. That is exactly what Kotelnik did.

 

Not a particular fan of Rees, but he impressed me, very good early, in fact very very good early on! Slipping and moving, and shorts in/out bursts, looking quite slick. He let it go midway though, credit to him for holding on till later and finishing it how he did.

 

at the his current rate i would no be so sure

 

European level probably, judging by that guy Murray defended his European title against. Rees is in that class, but tonight as decent as his performance was, he went off the rails for a longish period which kind of derails any prospects of him being much better than his current level. Against any big, strong lightweight he's going to be in trouble because he's not that big still, John Murray would beat him at his own game quite comfortably. And against a higher level boxer like Kotelnik - he was toast. He should defend his title and wait for a Euro opportunity, another M'baye ain't coming along soon.

 

I thought he looked mostly impressive tonight. But again his indiscipline gets the better of him. A more rounded, equally seasoned or as hardened fighter as he is might prove to be too much for him. The Murray fight wont happen, trust me.

Domestically; outwith Murray, Mitchell and Arthur - opponents are thin on the ground. Unless an all-Welsh fight with Buckland can be done. So European can be the way once Murray vacates.

A solid 2011 will probably end with one big fight at too high a level that will probably end in defeat. He's nowhere near the scene at world level.

 

hes already done more