JAMIE MCDONNELL will be fighting for version of the world bantamweight title by the end of the year.

That is the plan according to the Doncaster star’s promoter Frank Maloney and manager Dennis Hobson.

McDonnell (15-2-1) makes the second defence of his European bantamweight title Stephane Jamoye (19-1) at Doncaster Dome on Saturday January 22.

Maloney said: “Jamie’s progress has been startling over the last 12 months and his European title triumph against Jerome Arnould didn’t get the recognition it deserved.

“Jamoye is another step up in class and after another couple of defence he’ll be ready for the division’s best.”

Jamoye appears to be McDonnell’s toughest test so far with the Belgian’s only defeat coming against unbeaten Japanese star Tomoki Kameda back in August.

McDonnell, 24, added: “These are the kids I want to be fighting. I don't want Muppets chucked in front of me because I'm not going to get anything from winning such fights.

I need to be turning over these decent kids to try and get my ranking up and prove that I'm world class and deserving of a world title fight - hopefully this year.”

Provided Johanneson comes through he will face Anthony Crolla in a final eliminator for his old crown now held by Gary Sykes.

Ian Napa (19-9) suffered back-to-back British title losses against McDonnell and Stuey Hall in 2010 and must beat Mancunian southpaw Terry Flannigan (8-0) or face retirement.

Sheffield middleweight Liam Cameron (7-0) is one of British boxing’s most talked about talents and face Leicester’s durable Lester Walsh over six rounds.

Also on the bill is Sunderland’s big hitting Glenn Foot who bids to make it a hat-trick of first round wins when he face Birmingham’s Dee Mitchell (9-11) who has been stopped once in 20 fights.

Tickets for this bumper night of boxing, priced £60 and £30 are available from
www.frankmaloney.com and 0871 226 1508