By Peter Wells: It’s the final Prizefighter of the year, and we end with a cracker down at Light Welterweight, after all the excitement on December 4th it’ll all be over with for this year.

We start with the oldest fighter in the competition, Jason Cook, the former European and IBO Lightweight champion; he has a record of 25-2 with just 12 knockouts. He last fought a Super Welterweight and is making a huge jump down in weight. He won the IBO Lightweight title back in 2003, and defending once before losing it by 3rd round knockout. His other defeat was very early in his career also a stoppage. After beating Gary Reid by 2nd round disqualification in 2005 he retired until this September were he made an unpredicted comeback. He only took 4 rounds to stop Scott Jordan, and now looks in a competition he doesn’t belong in.

Jason Cook’s first opponent is Michael Grant who is undefeated in 13 fights with 1 draw. Grant hasn’t been past 6 rounds and last fought in February this year,

Next is Barrie Jones who has had a hard but short career, he is only 24 being the youngest in the competition and has lost 3 of his 19 contests. These were 3 consecutive defeats to Tony Doherty, Kell Brook and Souleymane M’baye who has fought in many title bouts. He also hasn’t fought since February and has lost to all quality opposition.

Barrie’s opponent will be former British Welterweight and Light Welterweight champion and veteran Young Mutley. He has a 26-4 record and lost his last fight last month by 3rd round knockout. His biggest victory was 3 years ago when he beat undefeated Michael Jennings, but has lost two crucial fights and isn’t improving.

Next up is one of the favourites, David Barnes the current British Light Welterweight champion, he won the vacant title last May off Ted Bami who also stars in the Prizefighter, and hasn’t last since 2005. He has had some strong fights and is a strong contender.

His opponent is classy veteran Colin Lynes who has had a very harsh two years, losing 3 close fights in a row. He lost last year to European Champion Gianluca Branco and then retired after 9 rounds against unbeaten British champion Paul McCloskey before dropping another split decision for the European title against Souleymane M’baye. He is very experienced but have those defeats took to much out of him.

Next is Ted Bami, with a record of 26-5 with 13 knockouts and coming off a stoppage defeat to Matthew Hatton. He has had an up and down career also losing to Michael Lomax in the Welterweight Prizefighter final this year. He knows what it takes to get to the final but is against a tougher first fight this time.

Last but not least is the bookies favourite, Gavin Rees, Gavin was the WBA Light Welterweight champion after beating Souleymane M’baye and then losing straight after to Andreas Kotelnik. After over a year out after his first defeat he beat journeyman Johnny Greaves by 4th round retirement, but has no doubt fought and beat the toughest opposition.

Quarter Finals

Jason Cook vs Michael Grant

After such a long break for Jason Cook I doubt he will be back to form at all and I expect the younger Grant to take this one on points.

Barrie Jones vs Young Mutley

I feel Mutley really wants this but Jones has had some unfortunate defeats and since Mutley did lose his last outing I expect Jones to take this one on points.

David Barnes vs Colin Lynes

This is probably the hardest one to decide, both have fought at good level, because of Lynes’ three defeats in a row I think that David should just scrape a victory in a close and interesting bout.

Ted Bami vs Gavin Rees

Well this one is pretty easy I think Rees will take Bami apart and finish him in the last round, just through sheer quality.

Semi Finals

Michael Grant vs Gavin Rees

I see Rees playing cooler this time and I see the inexperienced Grant being out classed in every way to lose all three rounds.

David Barnes vs Barrie Jones

I believe that this time we will get the two favourites in the final against each other and David should take Jones apart and maybe have him stopped in the last round.

Final

Gavin Rees vs David Barnes

And there we have it, an interesting and very much expected final, although most people will be rooting for Rees, I’m going to go with David Barnes to cause an upset and defeat Rees in a very close but unanimous decision.