ItsLou DiBellas considered opinion that he and Frank Warren should get together to make a Malignaggi-Gavin Rees match in the UK sometime soon. Malignaggi, the Brooklyn speedster, and the former WBA 140-pound champ from Wales are age 29. And both are coming off defeats and generally ranked in the middle of the pack by the alphabet groups. Paulie made a hit over there against Lovemore Ndou and the Brits gave Paulie high marks for his gutsy but losing effort against Ricky Hatton, DiBella mused. I just think its a marketable match that makes sense on both sides" Rees lost his title belt when he got stopped by Andreas Kotelnik in the 12th round.Malignaggi was halted by the ever poplar Hatton in 11 rounds.
Hmm, I would have thought that Gavin would have been looking at going down in weight. Either way, I suppose it's a reasonable comeback fight for both.
I mentioned this as a possible fight for malinaggi after his loss to hatton. Against a former world champion who he should look very good against.
Rees is a product of great managment! Easy fight for Malinaggi, wide UD. Rees should be looking to go down in weight now.
yeh theres big fights for him at lightweight, he even said himself he just took the opportunity at light welter, remember graham earl was gonna fight mbaye but the wba said no!
I thought Rees gave a hearted effort in his last bout against Kotelnik and was unlucky not to make the distance.
It wouldn't be as bad of a fight as people are saying. Rees is rubbish, and fat...but the guy does come forward and try to throw a lot of punches. Malignaggi has no power to speak of and was completely overrated with his #2 ranking. He's not that hard to find or pin down for a pressure fighter. Sure Malignaggi probably wins but he hasn't got the pop of Kotelnik so I can see Rees having his moments.
I don't see why Rees couldn't nick this one. He isn't as fast, strong, or powerful as Hatton, but wouldn't be concerned with Paulie's power..... if he can last 11 1/2 with Kotelnik he isn't getting stopped here. Speed is probably the key for a Paulie UD, but a Rees win wouldn't be THAT much of a shock to me.
Rees needs to get back in the ring. I can't see him fighting Malignaggi in his next fight, he's been inactive for nearly a year.