Gavin McDonnell returns to the ring on June 16th as he aims to build on a career best win over Gamal Yafai back in March.
The Doncaster boxer is scheduled for action against the vastly experienced Stuart Hall with the WBC International bantamweight title on the line.
McDonnell has already had a brief sample of the highest level boxing has to provide when he was outpointed by Mexico’s Rey Vargas in 2017, and his trainer Dave a Coldwell insists that adjustments have been made to prepare McDonnell for his inevitable climb to boxing’s higher echelons once again.
“The defeat against Vargas hurt Gavin,” revealed Coldwell from his Rotherham gym.
“He’s a proud fighter with big ambitions and a victory over Vargas was intended to place him at the top for a long time, but unfortunately he fell that little bit short. Since that fight, the character and tenacity he has shown to return to that level has been so impressive and he’s made the most of every single gym session so he can become a better fighter.
"That fight against Yafai earlier this year was what 12 months of hard work and dedication looks like because Gavin didn’t put a foot wrong in a fight that not many expected him to win. He’s been vastly underrated for years but I think people are just starting to take a bit of notice of him now.”
On Hall, Coldwell added, “It’s a tough assignment because Stuey brings a lot of experience and strength into the fight. Only the very best beat him, and even then he gives a very good account of himself. Gavin has prepared for this test like he has done for every fight with me, and he’s ready for the very best that Stuey Hall has to offer.
"The Yafai fight made people aware of just how good Gavin is so it’s absolutely vital that he builds on that with another brilliant performance next weekend. If he wants to sit at the top of the super bantamweight division then he has to beat guys like Hall to prove that he’s left that level behind.”