Yafai vs McDonnell: Gamal Yafai will bring 'something different' to beat Gavin McDonnell
Wednesday 28 February 2018 13:45, UK
Gamal Yafai says he will bring "something different" to the table to beat Gavin McDonnell and kick-start his own career.
The British super-bantamweight rivals meet on the undercard of Kell Brook vs Sergey Rabchenko, in Sheffield, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
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Yafai defends his WBC International belt knowing a win will move him up the world rankings but the former Commonwealth champion at 122lbs sees McDonnell as not only the best in Britain, but also his toughest opponent.
"McDonnell is the No 1 in Britain right now and I want to test myself against the best - and he is the best," Yafai exclusively told Sky Sports.
"I am going to have to bring something different to the table to beat him and that's what I am doing. I am going to have to be nice, cut and box clever. I can't and won't just do what people have seen before. It's a good fight for me but it is also one I am confident I will win.
"People can talk about Gavin retring if he loses but don't forget he has been at world-title level but I have only been at British level, so far. I am only 26 but I am getting better and I am only going to get better."
"I live the life and I think I am good enough to achieve a world title in the sport and that's what I will do - I won't stop until I get there."
Yafai will be boxing for the third time since his stand-out performance against Sean Davis in May 2017, which saw him pick up the WBC International.
Yafai, the younger brother of current WBA 'World' super-flyweight holder Kal, admits it has been a "stop-start" career since the Davis fight but is fully focused on taking his biggest scalp so far.
"It was a big fight for me [against] Davis and I have had two fights since then but they have been against journeymen, both of them six-rounders.
"They have not been big names or big fights like the McDonnell one. I am just looking forward to Saturday night.
"I have been a bit unlucky and have had a few but for the last eight months I haven't. I am good to go and all that matters now is beating him."
Watch Gamal Yafai vs Gavin McDonnell on the Brook vs Rabchenko undercard, live from Sheffield, on Sky Sports Main Event & Action, on Saturday, from 7.30pm.
