PROMOTER Eddie Hearn thinks Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland are ‘crazy’ to be competing in a rematch from their blistering fight in February, writes Michael Pearlman.

As revealed by Argus Sport, former world champion Rees against St Joseph’s former British title holder Buckland will be a key feature of the May 17 bill at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena.

With no confirmation yet on opponents for headline acts Lee Selby and Nathan Cleverly, it is no surprise that Welsh fight fans are already abuzz with excitement for the rematch everyone wanted to see.

The pair competed in a fight of the year contender and if that wasn’t enough, the contest finished controversially with Buckland winning by split decision despite many, or even most, ringside observers believing ‘The Rock’ to be victorious.

And Hearn believes the Welsh public will benefit from their machismo getting the better of them.

“As a friend of Gavin, I was thinking, ‘oh man, do you really want to do this again? I have to admit that,” he said.

“But Twitter was telling me, boxing fans were telling me, my broadcaster was telling me, we would love to see Rees versus Buckland II.

“You have to give people what they want and that is why I take my hat off to those two.

“They are giving the people what they want and that’s great, but they are also giving you what they want.

“They are both mad enough to want to do it again, can you imagine wanting to do that again? All that punishment? What is the matter with these people!

“But that is why it is special, just the anticipation of how good it can be all over again. It will be great in the build-up.”

Both fighters are thrilled to settle any debate about who is superior.

“I am happy to be on the show again, back in Cardiff amongst such incredible Welsh talent,” Buckland explained.

“The fight with Gavin speaks for itself and hopefully I can put on a great show.”

Rees admitted he’d wanted the rematch since about 36 hours after their initial clash.

“Gary Lockett my trainer rang me on the Monday and said ‘what do you want to do?’ and I said straight away I wanted the rematch,” he said.

“I think I might have won the first fight by one or two rounds, but he won so credit to him but I want to give you lot a great display again and show we are both true warriors.”