Tuesday 4 July 2017 15:03, UK
Jamie McDonnell is desperate to put things right against Liborio Solis and get fans back on his side after a disputed decision in their first bout, says the champion's trainer David Coldwell.
The Doncaster bantamweight has been ordered by the WBA to face Solis for a second time after his points win in November and promoter Eddie Hearn recently announced that terms had been agreed for the championship bout to take place later this year.
Coldwell reveals that the plans were for McDonnell, 31, to make a voluntary defence against former IBF champion Paul Butler, but once that fight fell through, McDonnell told the WBA that he immediately wanted the Solis return.
"It's not even about the fact that the fight has been ordered, Jamie wanted this fight, he is desperate to put things straight," Coldwell exclusively told Sky Sports.
"This game is about what makes sense financially for everyone involved and back in April we had agreed all the terms for the Paul Butler fight, which made more sense for us, and paid Solis step-aside money in agreement that he faces the winner.
Jamie's fought in Texas and France and he will fight anywhere - a ring is a ring. He just wants to get fans back on side, close this chapter and then move on.
"Everyone was happy and we were due to fight Butler in July as the away fighter on the Billy Joe Saunders undercard, but obviously that fight fell through and since then it just kept getting delayed. No one is to blame, it is just one of those things.
"We reached a point where we had to say we're not hanging around anymore and let the WBA know that we will fight Solis straight away - we can always look at Butler after.
Coldwell is confident that his charge will be greatly improved in the return contest, but is left puzzled by the stick McDonnell has received following the contested victory over Solis.
"I really don't understand why Jamie has received so much stick on social media and elsewhere, the decision might not have been right in their view, but it certainly was not Jamie's fault.
"Now, people want him to get beat because of that decision. Jamie's never done a thing wrong to anyone and is one of the nicest guys in the sport.
"He was left devastated and knows he didn't box to the best of his ability. He sat on the ropes for far too long and made it look like Solis was in charge.
"The rematch will be different and Jamie will definitely bring his A game this time round and take it as seriously as is possible.
"We are just thankful to have a fight confirmed. Jamie's fought in Texas and France and he will fight anywhere - a ring is a ring. He just wants to get fans back on side, close this chapter and then move on."
