NEW European lightweight champion Gavin Rees will defend his crown against Derry Matthews in Cardiff on July 23 after stepping up to save the day.

The former WBA world champion, now training with former Team Calzaghe stablemate Gary Lockett, has just returned from holiday following his gruelling title win against Andy Murray on June 4 and was waiting for news of his next opponent.

However, with Darren Barker injured and unable to fight on a scheduled show that night in Brentwood, Essex, Rees stunned promoter Eddie Hearn by announcing himself as ready to go in replacement and the stage is now set for a showdown at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena.

“I don’t think Eddie believed Gavin, we were out for dinner and Eddie explained the vacancy he had on July 23 for a show live on Sky Sports,” said Lockett.

“He knew Gavin had just come back from holiday and didn’t think he’d be ready, but the penny has finally dropped with Gavin and he’s only 9lbs over fighting weight now.

“He was keen on taking the fight and I was too. Gavin wants to get back to world level and to do that needs to be all comers.”

Matthews has won three successive fights since being knocked out by Newport’s Gary Buckland last September in the final of the lightweight version of Prizefighter.

“I don’t believe in the word ‘inactivity’ and at 31 and as a former champion of the World, Gavin is as ready as he will ever be to launch an attack on the lightweight division,” said Hearn.

“The Derry Mathews fight sets up to be a classic. I know how much this shot means to Derry, he is a great guy and deserves it – he won’t leave anything in the ring on the 23rd.”

Trainer Lockett has vowed Rees has learned from his last and has taken steps to ensure they aren’t repeated.

“Gavin is learning lessons after 20 years of bad habits,” Lockett explained.

“He isn’t used to losing weight properly, being hydrated and from now on I am doing his nutrition for him personally.

“We’ve cut up his sweat suits and Gavin knows that when he does it right, he’s virtually unstoppable. When he doesn’t, he’s only got three or four good rounds a fight in him. He’s got away with that twice but we can’t and won’t let it happen again.”

Tickets for the Rees v Mathews European title clash and full undercard are now on sale priced £30 unreserved and £50 ringside from the Motorpoint Arena Box-Office on 02920 224488.