Thursday 15 December 2016 11:39, UK
Gavin McDonnell will challenge Mexican Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight title next year.
The twin brother of current WBA 'world' bantamweight champion Jamie, will get the chance to follow in his brother's footsteps after the governing body's convention in Miami earlier this week.
The belt, which has been held by the likes of Erik Morales, Daniel Zaragoza and more recently, Carl Frampton, has been left vacant following Japan's Hozumi Hasegawa's retirement.
Vargas (28-0-KO22) is ranked No 1 and McDonnell (16-0-2-KO4) No 2 and trainer David Coldwell would rather see it take place in the United Kingdom.
"We've already said to Eddie Hearn it's a fight we want here," Coldwell told Sky Sports.
"Let's be real, Gav is not a massive puncher so are we going to win on points out in Mexico? It's highly doubtful but if that's what we've got to do, that's what we'll do.
Gavin McDonnell has been in his twin brother's shadow throughout his career and is probably the most underrated fighter in British boxing and this is a fantastic opportunity he is not going to waste
"He will be fighting for the same belt that the likes of Morales and (Marco Antonio) Barrera have fought for, so it is such a great opportunity."
Vargas has only boxed outside Mexico twice as a professional and has worked his way up the WBC rankings, winning the Youth Silver title back in 2013 and the international version in his last fight in September.
The 26-year-old has a knockout ratio of 79 per cent, but Coldwell is confident McDonnell will join gym-mates brother Jamie and WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew in winning a world title.
"Varags a good fighter, a very good fighter," he said.
"It's going to be a bit of a novelty for Gav because he is going to be the shortest man! Vargas is a touch under 6ft, is very tall and rangey, likes to use his range and has a very dangerous right hand.
"Gavin McDonnell has been in his twin brother's shadow throughout his career and is probably the most underrated fighter in British boxing and this is a fantastic opportunity he is not going to waste."
