Jamie McDonnell is relishing unifying world titles with Tomoki Kameda
Wednesday 8 April 2015 16:41, UK
Jamie McDonnell is grateful for the opportunity to unify world championships after becoming jaded with his relentless title fights.
After years of battling the division’s elite, WBA champion McDonnell and WBO titleholder Tomoki Kameda will meet in a winner-takes-all scrap in Texas, United States, on May 9, live on Sky Sports 3 HD at 7.30pm.
McDonnell had grown weary of constant battles against the division’s elite, culminating in last May’s win over Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat at Wembley, but has been reignited by the raising stakes.
“These are the fights I need,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m not sick to death of it, but I’ve defended belts for the past five years. I needed a new challenge.
“Unification fights against big names where I can make a statement – that’s what I’m all about now.”
Matured
I’m not sick to death of it, but I’ve defended belts for the past five years. I needed a new challenge.
McDonnell is familiar with his upcoming foe and believes the Japanese fighter’s fledgling years could be his undoing when they fight next month.
And the Yorkshireman is already plotting his long-term future even beyond the Kameda bout on the undercard of Ricky Burns' fight against Omar Figueroa.
“He’s only 23 so he hasn’t matured into the weight like I have,” he said.
“I know most things about him, he’s fast, sharp and fit. He’s got three brothers and he’s from a good boxing family. But I don’t see him causing me problems, it’s nothing I haven’t come across before.
“I’ve got a couple more fights at bantamweight then we’ll move up and see what’s there at super-bantamweight.”
There is more from this week’s Toe 2 Toe, including Scott Quigg, Jamie McDonnell and Josh Warrington. There are more Sky Sports podcasts at www.skysports.com/podcasts.
Watch McDonnell in action on Saturday May 9 on Sky Sports 3 HD at 7.30pm.
