FORMER world champion Gary Lockett is expecting a British title fight for Gavin Rees sooner rather than later after ‘the Rock’ continued his winning ways on Friday.

The former WBA world light welterweight champion was a class above Frenchman Abdoulaye Soukouna, winning all but one of their six rounds, taking a clear points decision 59-55 at Alexandra Palace on the Audley Harrison versus Michael Sprott undercard.

And following his triumph in the light welterweight Prizefighter competition in December, which netted him £32,000, Rees is now being lined up for a crack at the vacant British lightweight title.

A more natural lightweight than light welter, Rees is seeing a sport nutritionist on a weekly basis after moving to Lockett’s stable, the former middleweight champion now training his former stablemates Bradley Pryce and Tony Doherty in addition to Rees.

And with his pedigree and ability now confirmed after a damaging KO loss to Andriy Kotelnik in 2008 – Rees’ only career defeat – Lockett confirmed there will be no more six round contests for the 29-year old Newbridge ace.

“It was a good win for Gavin who showed what we all know, that he’s still a fighter right on the cusp of world level,” Lockett explained.

“There is no point him fighting six rounders now though, he is 29-years old and with the British title vacant it seems like a perfect time, because there is no one with more ability than Gavin, he’ll happily fight anyone.

“We hope we can sort out a British title shot sooner rather than later. It makes sense and it’s what Gavin wants.”

Lockett was happy with Rees’ performance but insists it had nothing to do with him, in the fighter’s corner for the first time.

“I haven’t been working with Gavin long enough to take any credit, it was exactly the same Gavin Rees as Enzo Calzaghe had.

“The only difference was I think it was easier for Gavin to make the weight. He’s had troubles before but he’s more disciplined than ever.

“He’s done well to pick up a victory and looked good in doing so and it’s onwards and upwards now.”

Rees had promised a stoppage victory but that was almost impossible to achieve according to Lockett.

“The guy he fought was incredibly awkward, he was 5ft 11 and had arms like an octopus, but he didn’t come to fight, he came to survive,” he said. “He was only interested in holding and Gavin was desperate to put him down, but he kept a very cool head.”

Lockett is also in talks to arrange a fight for Bradley Pryce in the coming weeks.

“Bradley has a lot left in the tank, but he didn’t win Prizefighter (knocked out in the semi final last month) so he’s going to have to have a couple of wins before we can get a title shot,” he explained.

“But Bradley is going to surprise people again, he’s been a Commonwealth champion and he’s still at that level.”FORMER world champion Gary Lockett is expecting a British title fight for Gavin Rees sooner rather than later after ‘the Rock’ continued his winning ways on Friday.

The former WBA world light welterweight champion was a class above Frenchman Abdoulaye Soukouna, winning all but one of their six rounds, taking a clear points decision 59-55 at Alexandra Palace on the Audley Harrison versus Michael Sprott undercard.

And following his triumph in the light welterweight Prizefighter competition in December, which netted him £32,000, Rees is now being lined up for a crack at the vacant British lightweight title.

A more natural lightweight than light welter, Rees is seeing a sport nutritionist on a weekly basis after moving to Lockett’s stable, the former middleweight champion now training his former stablemates Bradley Pryce and Tony Doherty in addition to Rees.

And with his pedigree and ability now confirmed after a damaging KO loss to Andriy Kotelnik in 2008 – Rees’ only career defeat – Lockett confirmed there will be no more six round contests for the 29-year old Newbridge ace.

“It was a good win for Gavin who showed what we all know, that he’s still a fighter right on the cusp of world level,” Lockett explained.

“There is no point him fighting six rounders now though, he is 29-years old and with the British title vacant it seems like a perfect time, because there is no one with more ability than Gavin, he’ll happily fight anyone.

“We hope we can sort out a British title shot sooner rather than later. It makes sense and it’s what Gavin wants.”

Lockett was happy with Rees’ performance but insists it had nothing to do with him, in the fighter’s corner for the first time.

“I haven’t been working with Gavin long enough to take any credit, it was exactly the same Gavin Rees as Enzo Calzaghe had.

“The only difference was I think it was easier for Gavin to make the weight. He’s had troubles before but he’s more disciplined than ever.

“He’s done well to pick up a victory and looked good in doing so and it’s onwards and upwards now.”

Rees had promised a stoppage victory but that was almost impossible to achieve according to Lockett.

“The guy he fought was incredibly awkward, he was 5ft 11 and had arms like an octopus, but he didn’t come to fight, he came to survive,” he said. “He was only interested in holding and Gavin was desperate to put him down, but he kept a very cool head.”

Lockett is also in talks to arrange a fight for Bradley Pryce in the coming weeks.

“Bradley has a lot left in the tank, but he didn’t win Prizefighter (knocked out in the semi final last month) so he’s going to have to have a couple of wins before we can get a title shot,” he explained.

“But Bradley is going to surprise people again, he’s been a Commonwealth champion and he’s still at that level.”