• Lightweight

Rees: Even Americans don't like 'cocky' Broner

Gavin Rees has launched an astonishing attack on WBC lightweight title holder Adrien Broner, labelling him a cocky fighter who is not even liked in his own country.

Rees will attempt to leave Atlantic City with the world title this weekend, but he faces a man likened to Floyd Mayweather Jr. Broner is undefeated and confident - too confident in Rees' eyes.

"He's got all the mouth let's see if he can back it up," Rees said. "It's just a normal fight to me to be honest, it's just a ring. I've been over to Paris and won so fighting away from home doesn't bother me in the slightest.

"He's pretty cocky and I think he underestimates me. The game plan we've got is right and I'm confident in my own ability, he expects me to just come running in head first but he'll have a shock on the night, a lot of people will."

Expanding on his dislike of the American, Rees questioned Broner's record, claiming he has not fought anybody to shout about. The Welshman is ready to shock the world on Saturday, and he will enjoy the task of doing so.

"His attitude stinks man. He shows fighters no respect, but he hasn't even earned the right to do that. What has he done? I've been in the States for five weeks now and American boxing fans don't like him.

"They tell me they hope I beat him and shut him up. I think he acts like a fool for no reason and no one really likes that.

"Who has he fought? I've seen his fights and half of those guys just stood in front of him letting him dictate the pace of the fight. I'm not going to let him do that. This is the first fight that I have trained away from home because I'm going to show him I'm no walk in the park.

"I've never been stopped. I can take him out in the first round, but I am ready to go into deep water if I have to. Either way, I have trained hard and will be ready to dictate the pace of the fight and not let him get away with a lot of what other fighters have let him do.

"I have to watch for his right uppercut which he throws from down low, but he's not the best on his feet either. Work rate is going to be important."

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