GWENT world-title chasing super-featherweight Gavin Rees is OFF the Enzo Maccarinelli WBU world cruiserweight championship bill at Newport Centre next month.

The big-punching Newbridge KO specialist (pictured) injured himself in a road accident and will be out of action for two to three weeks.

Twenty-two-year-old Rees, undefeated with a 20-0 record, including ten KOs, is awaiting a shot at Londoner Kevin Lear's WBU world title.

The fight has been postponed twice because of a Lear shoulder injury and meanwhile Rees (pictured) has been biding his time with a series of easy wins.

But he exclusively told the Argus last month that his patience was getting thin and that he was ready to look elsewhere for a title shot if Lear remained injured.

Rees' opponent at Newport on September 13 had not been named, but now he is out of action and a world title fight will elude him a little longer.

Trainer Enzo Calzaghe said: "He has damaged two ribs and will be out for two to three weeks."

Meanwhile, Swansea's Maccarinelli makes the first defence of the title he won at Cardiff last month against American Cecil McKenzie.

It should prove a comfortable defence because McKenzie is rated only 35 in the world and though he has won both fights on his comeback, had previously been out of action for four years.

Other fights on the Newport undercard are due to be announced next week.

But it has already been announced that Gwent prospects Jamie Arthur and Tony Doherty, who have both won their opening two pro fights, will be in action.

The Newport bill will be the first world title fight to be staged in the city.