McDonnell: I Thought I Won, I'ld Happily Do It Again

Gavin McDonnell held on to his British super bantamweight title by the narrowest of margins following a split decision draw against Josh Wale.

McDonnell had edged a close decision when the pair met last September and, in his first defence since claiming the title, was again taken the distance by his Yorkshire rival at a packed Leeds Arena.

It was a relentless, brutal contest with Wale continuously marching forward and appearing to have the greater success in the earlier rounds.

Both men marked up badly as the action continued apace into the later stages, each man responding when the other looked to be getting on top.

But McDonnell managed to find some reserves to finish the contest slightly the better of the two and his work obviously caught the eye of the judges.

In the end, one judge scored it 115-114 either way, with the third card reading 114-114 to ensure McDonnell clung on to his belt, although the champion was quick to promise his valiant opponent another shot.

"I knew it was close, I thought I won the majority of the first six and the last couple, so I thought I'd just won it, but I knew it was close," McDonnell told Sky Sports afterwards.

"I'll happily fight my next fight in a rematch, he can have it. It was a good fight, everyone enjoyed it and I have no problems doing it again."