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Today in Cardiff, most fights went about as expected, and it was Gavin Rees and Gary Buckland stealing the show (also as most expected) with an action-packed rematch that was billed as Rees' retirement match at home in Wales.
In that fight, Rees (38-4-1, 18 KO) outpointed Buckland (28-4, 9 KO) via split decision, taking the win on scores of 117-113, 117-112, and 113-116, with most observers feeling he won the fight by closing strong, particularly in the championship rounds. The 34-year-old Rees said before the fight that it would be his last, but after a performance like this, speculation will be hot that he'll stick around a bit longer. This would, however, be a great way to go out.
Nathan Cleverly (27-1, 13 KO) was back to his can-crushing ways in his cruiserweight debut, stopping 39-year-old Guyanese opponent Shawn Corbin (17-5, 12 KO) in two rounds. We learned nothing about Cleverly with this fight, but if it's just a toe dip into the cruiserweight waters, there's no harm in that. It looks like Cleverly will rematch old rival Tony Bellew next, or at least by the end of 2014.
Lee Selby (19-1, 7 KO) moved a step closer to a world title shot at featherweight, dominating Romulo Koasicha (21-4, 12 KO) over 12 rounds, winning on scores of 119-109, 119-109, and 119-110.
Also winning were super middleweights Callum Smith (11-0, 9 KO), who stopped Tobias Webb in two rounds, and Paul Smith (35-3, 20 KO), who stopped David Sarabia in two rounds, and looks likely to be Arthur Abraham's next opponent.