Jamie McDonnell took the first step towards another world title shot by stopping Bernard Inom in the seventh round. The Doncaster man was stripped of his IBF super-bantamweight belt last month after failing to agree a mandatory defence, but he took out his frustrations on his veteran opponent. McDonnell stalked Inom in the seventh and a series of spiteful body shots forced the referee to wave off the one-sided contest.
Stuart Hall, who was beaten by McDonnell in 2011, will fight Vusi Malinga for the vacant belt and the former champion is hoping to face the winner.
"The last few months it's been terrible, it's all mental," said McDonnell. "I had to stay strong, I had to stay in the gym. So onwards and upwards. Stuey Hall and Vusi Malinga are fighting. I'm still the world champion. I'll be hunting that belt down and I'll be getting it back. I beat Stuey Hall once and I'll beat him again. If Malinga wins, I'll go and beat him. I'll stand him on his head."
