By Terence Dooley

The BBBoC recently mandated a fight between British lightweight champion John Murray and former WBA light-welterweight title-holder Gavin Rees.  Rees, however, believes that Murray will vacate the domestic crown should the Mancunian defeat Andriy Kudriavtsev in defence of his European belt next month.

Rees, who moved down to 135lb after losing to Andrei Kotelnik in 2008 and has since won Prizefighter: The lightweights, recently admitted that he would not blame ‘The Murray Machine’ if the 29-0 (17) fighter decides to pursue other options.  Rees says that he will be willing and available to contest the vacant title should Murray move on.

Liverpool’s John Watson, 13-0 (5), is the next available contender; the 27-year-old feels that he would beat Rees should the two men eventually fight for the Lonsdale belt.  “Rees is a good pressure fighter with bags of experience but he’d be made for me I think,” admitted Watson when speaking to Nick Peet of The Echo. 

“I’d love that fight because he’s a big name and is rated highly by all the world governing bodies after being a world champion.  But I like fighting pressure fighters, they bring out the best in me.”

In the meantime, Watson must overcome Ryan Brawley, 16-0 (1), in their British title eliminator.  John, who recently sparred with Joan Guzman, believes that he has the tools to out-box Brawley, a southpaw, and is confident that he will put himself in the frame for the domestic title by easing past the 24-year-old Scotsman.

He added: “As for Brawley, well that fight would be very different but I’d be confident of the same outcome.  I like fighting southpaw and have two of the very best on my doorstep to spar with.  A couple of weeks sparring with Frankie Gavin and Tom Stalker would suit me down to the ground and more than get me ready for Ryan Brawley.

“But it’s al [sic] just talk right now.  Until Murray decides whether he’s staying or moving on and until the purse bids are in we can only speculate at what might come next.  But I’m just happy that things are moving forward.  I hope this is going to be a huge season for me.”

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