As previously reported, European lightweight champion Gavin Rees was forced to pull out of his title defence against Derry Mathews, which was scheduled for Cardiff on the 23rd of July.

Rees was set to make the first defence of the title against Liverpudlian Mathews after defeating Andy Murray on points last month to win the vacant strap.

However, the Welshman aggravated a knuckle injury in training and will now undergo surgery which is expected to keep him out of the ring until October.

Trainer Gary Lockett revealed he was left with little choice but to pull the 31-year-old out after the problem flared up last week.

"It's such a shame," Lockett told walesonline. "He's had problems with both index fingers for a good few years but it's so disappointing this has happened now.

"After it happened we gave it a couple of days to see if it would get better but Gavin said he could hardly touch his finger let alone punch.

"So I pulled him straight out, you can't take a risk, especially at this level."

Tags: Gavin Rees