Clubb’s world of pain TIME ON SIDELINE MOTIVATING TONY
TITLE-CHASER GAVIN IS ALL SMILES NOW TODD’S FACING DEBUT DELAY
GAVIN McDONNELL admits he was laughed at when he drunkenly promised to become a champion in 2010.
But after being inspired by brother Jamie’s European title triumph in France seven years ago, Gavin (below) aims to make the McDonnells Britain’s first twins to both be world champions.
Gavin, 30, who is older than WBA bantamweight title-holder Jamie by nine minutes, fights Mexican Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title in Hull on Saturday.
And he is desperate to be known for being more than just Jamie’s brother after his sibling’s success in seven world title fights.
McDonnell said: “We were drinking champagne after Jamie won the European title in France and I stood up and said I would win titles like our kid, and everyone just laughed at me.
“But I was serious. When I saw Jamie win the European title, it changed my life. I was shocking when I first put the gloves NICK PARKINSON on after so long. But I worked and worked and worked. “I didn’t dream of being world champion – it was just an area title or maybe the European or British. “I only turned pro at 22 as I had a few years off from boxing but I wish I had stuck at it because I would have been world champion earlier. “I’ve always been known as Jamie’s brother but after I win this fight I will be the No.1. “We can be the Klitschko brothers of Doncaster.” Gavin puts his world title shot down to hard work. He said: “I’m not the best fighter but what I’ve got is what I’m willing to do to succeed. I will do whatever it takes.”
But the Wigan prop says it will all be worth it if he is crowned a world champion today.
Clubb only returned from an horrific neck injury last week after nine months out – but insists his confidence is high.
And his burning desire to avenge his own personal Grand Final misery is top of his agenda as Wigan take on Cronulla today.
The Gravesend-born star said: “Watching the boys win the Grand Final was fantastic but I was gutted that I couldn’t play.
“I had wanted to come back in the Super 8s but the specialist didn’t think it had healed well enough and when it comes to your spine you can’t risk it.”
Clubb insists he has no worries about throwing himself back into the thick of the action despite knowing he will need the cage in his neck for the rest of his life.
He said: “I had my throat cut and then they put a metal cage in my neck because I had a bulging disc and couldn’t move my left arm.
“It sounds bad when I mention the cage but it has to be there to help me. I have come through unscathed which is the main thing.”
Clubb joined Wigan from London Broncos at the start of the 2014 season believing TODD CARNEY is unlikely to make his Salford debut against Leeds next Friday.
The controversial former Australia international, 30, arrives in England today after finally receiving a work visa.
But the feeling inside the Red Devils camp is that Carney (right) will not be fit enough for the trip to Headingley.
The man from New South Wales was released by Catalans Dragons in October with two years left on his contract and has been training on his own since then.
Salford will assess him this week but coach Ian Watson said: “If he is not fit it is pointless throwing him out there because it will be us who suffer.”
Carney has a chequered past and will need careful handling by the Red Devils if they are to JULIE STOTT Warriors would help his dream of winning some silverware.
So far, those dreams have come to nothing but Clubb is desperate to put that right.
He said: “I played in the previous two Grand Finals and lost both and when I missed it last year they go and win so read into that what you want!
“If we win the World Club Challenge it will help make up for the fact I do not have a Grand Final ring.”
Beating Warrington in October’s showdown has earned Wigan a crack at NRL winners Cronulla Sharks.
Many Aussie pundits claim the Super League club will be little more than Shark bait as the NRL continue their dominance of the event.
But Clubb said: “People think they are going to put a big score on us but we are ready to rip in and we’re going into the game confident. “This is massive for us and Super League. “There is a bit of pressure there but we are not here to make up the numbers.
“There is a trophy at stake and we want to win it. We’re happy to say that we want to win all four trophies available this year.” get the best out of the stand off during his time in the North West. He was sacked by all three of his NRL clubs – Penrith, Canberra and Sydney Roosters – for various alleged offences and Catalans’ patience also ran out due to his off-field behaviour. But Salford are convinced they are right to move for a player who knows he is quickly heading into the last-chance saloon. His arrival will also provide much needed competition to Rob Lui and Michael Dobson in the halves. The pairing knew they were pretty much guaranteed to play last season, even when their form fell off, because there were few alternatives. JULIE STOTT