Rees feels he will be a force after dropping down to lightweight
Former world champion Gavin Rees set his sights on the British lightweight title after his comeback win over late stand-in Johnny Greaves in Newport.
"I'm ready for a British title fight in December or January," said Rees.
The Newbridge 29-year-old, making his first appearance since losing his WBA light-welterweight crown in March 2008, looked rusty but dominated throughout.
Greaves, a third-choice opponent called up with less than 24 hours notice, failed to come out for the fifth round.
Greaves, 30, who has lost 37 of his 39 fights, stepped in when Damian Owen, Godfriend Sowah and then Gary Reid withdrew from the show.
Rees, whose title loss to Andreas Kotelnik is his only setback in 29 fights, is due to return at the Newport Centre in October.
"I need that, I was ring rusty as hell," said Rees, who says he has been completing 12 rounds in sparring without a problem.
Jon Thaxton challenges champion John Murray for the British lightweight title on 3 October, with Rees hoping to secure a shot against the winner.
Rees, trained and promoted by Enzo Calzaghe and his son Joe, hopes that a more scientific approach to his build-up and the recruitment of a dietician will help him to restart his career having dropped from light-welter to lightweight.
"I can eat three or four times a day, before I didn't think it was possible," said Rees, who admits that fast food used to be a key part of his diet.
"Before I lost the title I was taking things easy, I thought that I was unbeatable.
"No I've got a dietician on board [and I was] 10-and-a-half stone four-and-a-half weeks before the fight, I've never been so light.
"I've got lots of energy in the gym, I'm running twice a day - I'm in the best shape of my career.
"I feel strong at lightweight, I'm back down to my own division and hope to have a good few stoppages.
"At the higher weights it was hard to do that and show people how good I am.
"I want to step back down and show everyone my power - I had a good couple of years when I was last at lightweight."
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