By Terence Dooley
Doncaster’s Jamie McDonnell (29-2-1, 13 KOs) has admitted that he was contemplating a move to Super bantamweight prior to finding out that he has been handed a chance to take a big scalp when he travels to Tokoyo to meet former WBC light-flyweight and WBO flyweight holder Naoya Inoue (15-0, 13 early) on May 25.
The undefeated former two-weight titlist has enjoyed home advantage for most of his career—his only fight outside Japan was a win over Antonio Nieves in America (W RTD 6)—and he will hope to secure honours in a third division.
McDonnell, though, believes that he can gate-crash the party by retaining his belt. “Dave Coldwell had been saying for a few months that moving up to Super bantam would be the best thing for me,” he said when speaking to Liam Hoden of the Doncaster Free Press. “But then one day Dave walked in and said how about fighting Inoue. I admit I didn't know anything about the kid. I'd never heard of him.”
McDonnell added: “This is a cracking fight and winning it will lead to some massive fights in the future. People will take notice of this and I'll get some recognition. It opens up doors, either at bantamweight or by moving up. I've shown with the last few fights that I can still get down to the weight and I don't think there'll be any issues.”
McDonnell is unbeaten since 2008, when he suffered a decision loss to Lee Haskins, picking up the British, Commonwealth and EBU plus IBF and WBA World titles during this period as well as handing the previously-undefeated Tomoki Kamedaa brace of defeat , both on points.
The 31-year-old fought a frustrating No Decision with Liborio Solis in Monaco last time out but was buoyed when his twin brother, Gavin, notched up the most impressive win of his career thus far when by comprehensively out-boxing Gamal Yafai, brother of WBA World Super Flyweight holder Kal, to win the WBC International Super bantamweight belt and keep the McDonnell family success story going.
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