A WAKE after a funeral ended when an up- and-coming young boxer floored one of the mourners, Cardiff crown court heard.

Michael Button remembered nothing of the attack until he came round in hospital, said prosecutor Christopher Rees.

Gavin Rees, 23, of Ely Court, Newbridge, a flyweight said to have enjoyed a glittering career, admitted a charge of wounding.

He was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months, a community punishment order for 100 hours, ordered to pay £350 compensation and attend a substance abuse programme.

His boxing licence will also be automatically suspended pending a hearing before the Welsh area council of the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC).

Robert Smith, assistant general secretary of the BBBC, said: "He (Rees) will be called before the Welsh area council and they will go through the situation."

He added: "The council has the power to extend the suspension of his licence or withdraw it completely. Whether they do that is another thing. Until we get all the documentation about the incident we cannot make a judgement."

Also in court was Gavin's brother, Nathan Rees, 24, of Oaktree Court, Newbridge. He admitted causing actual bodily harm to Mark Jeffries and was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and a community punishment order for 70 hours.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall told Gavin Rees: "I'm sure your managers, coaches and promoters will have given you a mighty telling off for bringing your profession into disrepute.

"The danger with boxers is when they hit people they forget the power and skill they possess. Mr Button went straight to the ground. It was all down to drink, something unimpressive in a sportsman."

Mr Rees said that on Monday, July 26, Mr Button went to a funeral in Newbridge and then on to a wake at the Pantside Social Club with his wife and daughter.

About 8pm scuffles broke out in the bar involving Gavin Rees and another person and he was asked to leave by the chairman Caleb West, whom he challenged to a fight.

Mr Button went outside and, according to Mr Jeffries, Gavin Rees struck him with a dart board. Another witness, in evidence accepted by the court, said he saw him deliver one punch, causing Mr Button to cut the back of his head.

Gavin Rees then left the scene. Mr Jeffries went to assist his friend and as he did so Nathan Rees punched him several times to the face. Mr Jeffries retaliated in self-defence.