Frankie Gavin will now face tough Brazilian Juliano Ramos this Saturday (21st December) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Gavin was due to defend his Commonwealth Welterweight title against Joseph Lamptey, but the Ghanaian was refused a visa and unable to enter the country.

The Birmingham ace, 28, will now feature as chief support in a ten-round contest to Stuart Hall’s Vacant IBF World Bantamweight title challenge against Vusi Malinga, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Ramos, from Sao Paulo, has a record of 28 fights, 21 wins, 6 losses and 18 KO’s - 17 of those coming inside three rounds - and is the former Brazilian Light-Welterweight Champion.

Gavin said, “It’s disappointing that Lamptey, who I have been preparing hard for, is now off, but I have to stay focused and concentrate on this late replacement.  Ramos looks very tough, he can bang, the majority of his knockouts have come inside three rounds so he’ll be dangerous early on.  My trainer Tom Chaney is doing all the research on him and putting together a game plan so I'll go by whatever he says.  It’s a disruption but I’ll show that I’m a professional and deal with it and make sure I win on Saturday night.”

REES LOOKING FOR A BIG WIN IN LEEDS

Hot Welsh talent Lewis Rees looks to close the year with a sparkling performance at the First Direct Arena in Leeds this Saturday (21 December) as he targets domestic glory in 2014.

The 24-year-old from Tonypandy takes on experienced Pole Krzysztof Szot over eight rounds on the undercard of Stuart Hall’s challenge for the Vacant IBF World Bantamweight   title against Vusi Malinga, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

All-action Rees, trained by former WBU World Middleweight Champion Gary Lockett, is unbeaten in eight fights with five KO’s and holds the Welsh Area crown.

Currently fighting at welterweight, Rees will be dropping down a division to light-welter in 2014 and has targeted the British or Commonwealth belts.

First he has to get through Szot who’s extended British fighters Scott Cardle, Chad Gaynor and Tyrone Nurse the distance this year.

“I’m looking to close the year with a good win up in Leeds against Szot and go into 2014 with the British and Commonwealth belts in my sights,” Said Rees.

“Szot is experienced, strong, he’ll get the best out of me.  He’s taken some of the lads over here the distance this year and hasn’t been stopped for the last two and half years so if I can get to him early and stop him it will be a great end to the year for me,”

“I’ve got a nutrionist on the team and I’ll now be campaigning in the light-welters next year.  I’ll be strong and fast at the weight and I’m looking forward to climbing up the rankings towards a British title.”

Lockett is thrilled with his protege and is looking forward to big things next year.  He said, “Lewis is a super-talent and I’m really pleased with his progression.  He's signed a new deal with Frank Warren and he’ll be very busy next year which will suit him and we’ll definitely see improvements with each fight.  He’s looking to make a statement in Leeds against Szot and then towards a big 2014.

ETCHES GETS CHANCE TO PROVE HIS WORTH IN MONTE CARLO

ADAM ETCHES will look to prove he is amongst the best middleweight prospects in the world when appears on the same bill as the man widely regarded as the division's greatest.

The hard-punching Sheffield man, 22, will face Italy's tough Salvatore Annunziata on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin's WBA 'Super' world title fight with Osumanu Adama at the glamorous Salle des etoiles in Monte Carlo on February 1.

Etches has already shown off his skills in Bulgaria, but this opportunity should help bolster his reputation further as the bill is likely to be broadcast on both sides of the Atlantic.

The show also features the eagerly anticipated WBA title clash between St Helens' Martin Murray and Aussie stylist Jarrod Fletcher.

"There's numerous world titles on the bill so it's good to be a part of it," Adam, 14-0 (12 KOs), said.

"I don't mind being down the bill on a show like this because I know when I get my chance I'll take it.

"One day I'd like to be like Golovkin myself, headline big bills in nice places and fighting the best names out there.

Like Etches, Annunziata has been an IBF youth champion and should provide the young Yorkshireman with his toughest test to date.

A victory should also push him on to big title fights later in the year.

"I've watched a few videos of him [Annunziata] and he looks pretty good," Etches said. "He's southpaw and he's quite a nice boxer with a fast jab, but if I'm as good as I think I am then I should beat him quite well

"I've never boxed a southpaw as a professional, but I boxed quite a few as an amateur didn't have too much trouble.

"I think if I win this fight then I can be too far away from a British title shot. I want to fight the best people in the division."

Before Etches can begin to think too much about the glitz and glamour of Monaco, he will appear on Richard Poxon's sold out charity dinner show at Sheffield's Hilton by Double Tree hotel tonight.