Gavin Rees bruised but unbowed after feeling Adrien Broner's power
Last updated on .From the section Wales
"I told you I should have been a footballer," smirks Gavin Rees, the gallows humour quick to come back in the locker room after Adrien Broner had shown the class inside the ring he often lacks outside it.
Rees's face and chest are marked red from the impact of the punches he has just endured from the WBC lightweight champion at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.
Trainer Gary Lockett grabs ice for his man's rapidly swelling knuckles and contemplates his decision to throw in the towel at the end of round five. The previous 20 minutes have been a constant adrenalin-fuelled rerun in each man's mind.
"I'd still be in there now," says Welshman Rees, "but then I'd still be in there for the full 12 rounds getting knocked down and getting back up. There's no point though, you can be as brave as you like, that's not the reason why I was here."
The New Jersey fight fans and the HBO audience around the USA may have been surprised by the gritty approach by 'The Rock', but the tactical plan had been ripped up by the fighter early in the second round.
"Gav, we tried to change your approach completely in just one training camp and it didn't come off," a refreshingly honest Lockett tells his charge.
The age difference between the 32-year-old fighter and his trainer is slim. They are former training partners under Enzo Calzaghe, but mutual respect is high.
"You can look at tapes and think: 'Oh, he doesn't do this well, we can just back off and not leave yourself exposed'," says Lockett. "But then once you were in there you got overexcited by the punches you were landing and you jumped in again."
Former light-welterweight world champion Rees nods in agreement. "I know, I completely blew the game-plan, but when I started to connect with a few in the first round I got carried away."
Tactical analysis over, Rees chuckles again. "Oh, Gary did you see his face after he knocked me down and I got back in there? He was like: 'Why won't [he] just stay down?'"
There isn't much to be said in defeat in any sporting environment. The focal point has gone, the immediate aftermath too current to analyse coherently and regroup for the future. In a funny way, it is more about the 'now' than during the contest.
Once the white fleecy towel was swung in a circular motion around Lockett's head, time froze. The past is an irrelevance, you cannot go back and move your chin from the uppercut, get your footwork functioning quicker. The future is a distant place you may never reach. All you have is the present.
The Newbridge fighter's rapidly swelling eyes rise once again as he starts to pack up his kit bag after five weeks in the States.
"Oh man that kills," he winces. "It's a shame God didn't make me chinny! What was I thinking, jumping back in there all the time?
"Sorry Ed," he addresses promoter Eddie Hearn. An ever-present in the changing room pre-fight as well as post, the slickly dressed 6ft 4in Londoner comes over as a part of the team, one of the boys; cracking jokes with the best of them.
"Don't be silly Gav, you've got nothing to apologise for," he reassures his man. "You impressed a lot of people ringside tonight."
Rees's father picks up the leftover detritus from around the changing room. "Do you want these gloves Gav?" he asks holding up his black mitts.
"Burn 'em Dad, they didn't do me much good did they?" Again, his humour rises to the fore even when at his lowest.
"Have you seen this medal they've given me?" he asks holding up the gift from WBC to a losing world title fighter. "What do I want that for? So I can pull it out of the drawer in 20 years and be reminded of how hard my knuckles hurt right now? No thanks."
Watch behind-the-scenes footage from Gavin Rees's fight with Adrien Broner on Sport Wales, BBC Two Wales, Friday, 22 February (22:00 GMT)
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Broner looks the real deal to me, and reports from EH on twitter are saying that he is a nice guy away from the cameras and came into the changing room to speak to Rees.
Like him or loathe him everyone will have an opinion on Broner, and thats what makes a superstar in the world of boxing.....I will be watching him closely.
Broner is HUGE for lightweight, the disparity in power was massive.
He is a huge talent and showed some class after he fight by congratulating Rees on his efforts!
As massive as his ego is, most of it is manufactured, Boxing needs characters like Broner.
Can't see Burns getting anywhere near him, Too big, too much power
His stock has risen according due to him winning rounds and his incredible bravery, nobody thought he was genuinely in Broner's class.
@21
Broner is only 23 lots of time to develop and work on flaws
As for Broner, despite the criticism seen here for his personality, BOXING NEEDS ENTERTAINERS.An obvious talent with the personality that may not be agreed with but creates hype which is only good for a sport some argue is dying.Like Prince Nas did, I can only find respect for guys willing to play the villain especially if they can back it up.
Broner is talented but unlikely to be p4p no 1. Rees showed the technical flaws. A bigger puncher will take Broner out within a few rounds - but they will be very exciting rounds because Broner has real power as well. If Broner goes to LWW he will get KOd
He lost to the potential no:1 future pound 4 pounder. Doesn't mean he can't pick another World Title up against a lesser opponent.
He's won plenty of fans stateside with his gutsy performance looking at the forums.
Lockett has shown himself to be a top coach in the making, v intelligent boxing brain.
Gavin for outboxing the 'new Mayweather' for two rounds then showing tremendous toughness and heart when getting blasted with extremely fast powerful punches.
Lockett for his game plan which worked until Rees got overexcited.
Eventually you always felt Broner was too big and powerful and would catch up with Rees but he gave it everyone.
Well done both!
Lets face it though, Rees hasn't been in with many big punchers, and Kotelnik's certainly not one.
Rees deserves a lot of credit after clearly winning the first 2 rounds - 2 more than many had predicted.
It didn't prevent the inevitable happening though and the gulf between them was clear to see in rounds 3 through 5.
If Broner wasn't so arrogant, he would easily gain a following very quickly.
All class inside, none at all outside the ring.
Spirited effort and glad he didn't get hurt.
Well done to Eddie Hearne for getting him the bout - works hard for his boxers...
I will be watching closely
As for the Mayweather comparisons I've heard - the jury is still out. He's a lot more hittable than Floyd and although he seems to pack some good power, so did Floyd at the lower weights. Very promising fighter though.
Really? 10 comments in 3½ hours says is all.
Adrien who?
Broner is unbelievably good. No need for him to have the attitude or put on the persona he does. If you are as good as Broner surely there's no need to behave how he does?
Burns vs Broner will be a big fight but I feel that Broner will have too much for Burns too.
I see lightweight dominance for years to come with Broner, although I would love to see someone slap him silly.
Im sure his family and friends will be thrilled for years to come. Even with the multiple boxing authorities....fighting in a World title in Atlantic City is a rare thing that many British boxers would love to have.done