Get to know Jeremy Parodi ahead of Gavin McDonnell fight

Gavin McDonnell's upcoming opponent has shared a ring with Carl Frampton, but what else do we know about him?

Jeremy Parodi will be challenging for McDonnell's European super-bantamweight title on Saturday night, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 8pm, and we've got the inside scoop on his career.

Where does he come from?

Parodi was born in Toulon, France, on April 23, 1987. Which means he shares the same birthday as English greats, William Shakespeare and St George. He is still based in Toulon, between Marseille and St Tropez.

Has Toulon ever produced any boxers we might know?

In short, no. France has produced more than 40 world champions, but none of them have hailed from Toulon. Parodi is arguably the best fighter the city has ever produced, but they are the heavyweights of European rugby.

So, what is his boxing pedigree like?

Parodi has never been a world champion but a bit like Toulon, he has picked up plenty of other prizes. He has held the EBU-EU (European Union) super-bantamweight title, IBF Youth and International and the French national titles. He was also unbeaten through his first 29 professional fights before his loss to Arsen Martirosyan in 2010.

Have either of the McDonnell brothers ever fought a Frenchman?

While Gavin hasn't, Jamie has fought three - one of which was in France. He stopped Jerome Arnould in 10 rounds near Cannes five years ago and has beaten all three French opponents.

Has Parodi ever fought in Britain?

Parodi has fought in Britain before - against Carl Frampton in Belfast back in 2013. It was the only time he has ever fought outside of France.

What was the outcome of that fight?

Frampton - who hadn't lost a round on any of the judge's scorecards - knocked out Parodi in the sixth round. It was the first and only time Parodi has been stopped in 40 professional fights.

If Frampton knocked him out, doesn't that mean Gavin McDonnell can?

It doesn't look too likely. Though Frampton knocked Parodi out, his knockout percentage (67%) is significantly higher than McDonnell's (27%). There isn't much chance of Parodi producing a surprise stoppage either, with the Frenchman's knockout percentage being an even lower 23%.

But he should still beat Parodi, shouldn't he?

McDonnell is the favourite heading into this fight, and he has to win it convincingly if he wants to be involved in world title fights any time soon. However, in spite of being younger, Parodi is the far more experienced fighter which could work in his favour. Though McDonnell should win, this is one of the biggest tests of his career.

Where can I watch the fight?

You can watch McDonnell and Parodi battle it out in Sheffield on Saturday from 8pm, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.