Jamie McDonnell
He has won two world titles and unification is coming his way
Monday 17 November 2014 17:52, UK
Little was expected of Jamie McDonnell when he suffered two early defeats, but the Doncaster man has gone on to become a two-time world champion.
McDonnell's rollercoaster career had started in routine fashion, with a third-round stoppage of Wayne Bloy earning him the English belt in his seventh fight.
But hopes of further title success were dealt a blow when he suffered a split decision defeat against British super-flyweight champion Chris Edwards in December 2007.
Worse was to follow as the awkward Lee Haskins then edged out McDonnell on points in his very next fight.
Stung by this second straight loss, McDonnell rebuilt his record with a handful of wins, but could not afford to let his next title chance slip away.
Ian Napa, a seasoned campaigner with slippery defensive skills, put his British belt on the line against McDonnell in January 2010. The Londoner was heavily favoured to win and had already lined up a European title challenge, but McDonnell ruined his plans with a split decision victory.
It was the Yorkshireman who was instead handed a shot at the vacant European title and he seized the opportunity, halting Jerome Arnould in the 10th round in front of the Frenchman's fans.
McDonnell, with two belts in his possession, had grown into his role as champion and swept aside Rodrigo Bracco in the third round before a much tougher defence against Stephane Jamoye in January 2011.
Dominated
During a frenetic start, McDonnell was briefly hurt by the Belgian, but fought back in determined fashion to seal a points win.
Domestic rival Stuart Hall would drag McDonnell into another dogfight in September 2011 - both men swapped big punches during a gruelling clash, but McDonnell dominated the latter rounds to secure the verdict.
Having claimed Commonwealth, British and European belts, McDonnell set his sights even higher and two more wins earned him a shot at the vacant IBF world title against Julio Ceja, last May.
He was handed hometown advantage and with a passionate support behind him, McDonnell held off the heavy-hitting Mexican.
Following a tense 12 rounds, the local favourite received a majority decision and was crowned as Doncaster's first world champion.
But this joy was shortlived as a promotional switch held up plans for his first defence and the IBF took away his newly acquired belt, without McDonnell throwing a punch.
He responded to this harsh decision with two further wins and was offered another world title opportunity, taking on Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat for the vacant WBA title on the undercard of the Carl Froch-George Groves bill in May 2014.
Victory over the Thai fighter, courtesy of a 10th-round stoppage, meant McDonnell had climbed to the very top again. With big unification fights looming large on the horizon, he will be extremely determined to make sure Javier Chacon doesn't spoil his plans for 2015.
Watch McDonnell v Chacon live and exclusive as part of Cleverly v Bellew II, on Sky Sports Box Office on November 22, with Joshua, Groves, DeGale and more, also on. Go to skysports.com/cleverlybellew to book.
