• Adrien Broner v Gavin Rees, Lightweight

Broner outclasses Rees for fifth-round stoppage

Adrien Broner dropped Gavin Rees on multiple occasions © AP

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Adrien Broner had little trouble remaining undefeated Saturday night. The WBC lightweight champion overcame Gavin Rees' aggressiveness and determination by stopping the Welshman in the fifth round before a roaring crowd of 4,812 at Boardwalk Hall.

Broner (26-0, 22 KOs) scored two knockdowns in the bout and ended the fight with a powerful left hook to the body that forced Rees (37-2-1, 19 KOs) to take a knee in the fifth.

"I knew he was coming to fight," Broner said. "He's a world class fighter. I had to see how much gas was left in that Toyota. He kept coming and threw every shot like it was his best shot.

"I knew he would be tough. He's tougher than a steak that's well-done. When you have two world-class fighters going toe to toe it's going to be a great fight."

Rees, a native of Newport, Wales, got to his feet after the body shot, but Broner landed a series of further blows to the body and combinations that drove Rees into a corner and prompted trainer Gary Lockett to wave a white towel. Referee Earl Brown halted the fight two minutes, 59 seconds into the round.

"I wanted to [stop the fight] after four rounds, but Gavin said no way he was quitting," Lockett said. "I also considered stopping it after the third, but Gavin is too proud."

Broner, a 23-year-old Cincinnati native, controlled most of the bout, but Rees didn't back down. The 32-year-old wasn't fazed by Broner's antics and continually pressed forward. At times, he even did a little clowning himself, which drew some cheers from the fans.

Broner scored his first knockdown in the fourth, catching Rees with one of his trademark right uppercuts that sent the Welshman to the canvas. Rees got up and endured a savage beating along the ropes just before the bell sounded to end the round.

"I'm disappointed in my performance," Rees said. "I made a lot of mistakes. I think I have a better skill set than that. He hits incredibly hard for a lightweight. I knew he hit hard, but the power just stunned me.

"But I disagree with my trainer stopping it. I was always going to get back up. I was going to get keep getting up until I got knocked out cold. I disagree with my trainer stopping it. I was always going to get back up. He's the best I've ever been in with."

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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