OUT OF NOWHERE
Gavin McDonnell's incredible rise continues
BROTHERS, by default, tend to compete with another. As his manager, Stefy Bull, explains in his guest column [page 5], Gavin Mcdonnell was inspired by his twin brother Jamie to give professional boxing a proper go at the age of 25.
That was back in 2010 and now, over six years later, Gavin is on the verge of matching Mcdonnell’s accomplishment of becoming a world champion. Though the secondary WBA bantamweight title Jamie currently holds is not recognised as a full title, he previously held the IBF belt and would have the WBO one too had Tomoki Kameda not vacated it prior to their first meeting.
On Saturday (February 25), Gavin will contest the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title against Mexico’s Rey Vargas at the Ice Arena in Hull, with Matchroom promoting and Sky Sports airing in the UK.
With limited amateur experience, Doncaster man Mcdonnell had to learn on the job before swiftly being matched with fellow unbeaten prospect Scott Gladwin in 2012, who he stopped in six. Mcdonnell earned decent wins over Paul Economides, Ross Burkinshaw and Josh Wale before halting Leigh Wood in six for the British title. In 2015, he added the European title to his haul by beating Oleksandr Yegorov before also besting Jeremy Parodi. One year ago, he outpointed Jorge Sanchez in a cracking WBC final eliminator and, after reigning champion Hozumi Hasegawa announced his retirement from boxing, Mcdonnell was ordered to box Vargas
for the vacant strap.
“It’s just exciting, I’m over the moon. I can’t wait to actually win a world title and for it to be the WBC [belt], it doesn’t get bigger. I’m so close now, I’m not going to let it slip through my fingers,” he told Boxing News.
“I sort of know [the world stage] anyway, having been around Jamie. I know you’ve got to up your game and I’ve seen it, I’ve been around it and I’m thriving. I just want to prove I belong at this level. It’s not a case of me asking Jamie [what it’s like], we sort of just get on with it. He knows I’m capable of doing this so he’s just there for support and backing me.”
In his way is Vargas, a tall, hard-hitting unbeaten contender who looks just like the sort of opponent who could wreck Mcdonnell’s dreams. His last win came in September when he stopped a shop-worn Alexander Munoz inside five rounds to reaffirm his lofty ranking with the WBC.
With long levers and a venomous punch, Vargas likes to throw in flurries and wear an opponent down but, he has only ever fought outside of Mexico twice and both times in America.
“That there, getting in Yorkshire, just shows that Matchroom believe in me,” Mcdonnell continued. “Me topping the bill and bringing him over here, that could be crucial. Having a home crowd can lift you slightly, if it’s a close fight and you’ve got your fans behind you, you want it that little bit more. Don’t get me wrong, a ring’s a ring, but it’s nice to have your home support and your home comforts and everybody there. Hopefully I can repay them and give everybody a night to remember.”
Vargas is a dangerous foe for Mcdonnell – if he paces himself and focuses on the body, as he’s done in the past, he could upset the party in Yorkshire.
However, his defence is poor and he usually leaves his chin hanging in the air, with his hands low. He’s been down a couple of times in previous fights, against limited opposition, and he’s never looked unbeatable. His work rate and grit will make things tough for Mcdonnell, who is prone to being cut, however Gavin has a remarkable engine. Also, despite his lack of experience, he boxes well and his straight shots down the middle are damaging. It’s a big, big ask but the pick is for Gavin to churn out a victory on the cards. Local lightweight hero Luke Campbell, 15-1 (12), will continue his rise up the WBC rankings with a win over Mexican Jairo Lopez, 21-6 (14), on the undercard. Campbell [inset] has bounced back with aplomb since losing to Yvan Mendy in 2015, beating the likes of Argenis Mendez (pts 12) and Derry Mathews (ko 4). Former Campbell victim Tommy Coyle, 22-4 (10), also of Hull and now boxing at 140lbs, takes on Rosehill’s Rakeem Noble, 11-1 (5). Belfast’s exciting bantam Ryan Burnett, 15-0 (9), and Conisbrough heavy David Allen, 9-2-1 (6), also feature on the show in keep-busy bouts.
THE VERDICT Gavin won’t have it easy, but if he pulls out all the stops he can achieve his dream.
‘I’M THRIVING. I WANT TO PROVE I BELONG AT THIS LEVEL’