MCDONNELL TURNS TO BENN MAN SANDERS

New trainer for Jamie

JAMIE MCDONNELL is taking the Nigel Benn route to the world bantamweight title – by teaming up with “The Dark Destroyer’s” trainer Kevin Sanders.

The European champion will start training under Sanders next week, ahead of next month’s defence against France’s mandatory challenger Malik Bouziane.

Despite Sanders’ experience, it is a shock that Mcdonnell, 25, has quit Stefy Bull and Dave Hulley’s camp after years of success.

Mcdonnell met Sanders at the WBC convention in Las Vegas, where he was with manager Dennis Hobson and promoter Frank Maloney.

Sanders, who has been coaxed out of retirement, told Midweek Sport: “Dennis and Jamie were there and I did a bit of work on the pads with Jamie.

Tempt

“They both liked what they saw of me and I liked the look of Jamie. Dennis then made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so here I am back in business.

“I enjoyed the two-year break, but now I can’t wait to get back into it. I put on a few stones so it’ll be nice to get back in the gym and get my weight down a bit.

“I had many, many offers to return, but this one really stood out and was the only offer to tempt me to come back.”

Besides a new trainer, Mcdonnell moved a step closer a world title fight when he was installed as the No.2 contender for the WBC title held by Japan’s Shinsuke Yamanaka.

“Jamie is very accomplished,” said Sanders. “He’s got everything – he can box and he’s a puncher but just needs to be taught a few more things to take him up to world title level.

“I’ve got to get him there and I am confident I can do it.”