Frank Maloney Boxing: Napa vs. McDonnell January 22

Ian Napa will defend his British bantamweight title against Jamie McDonnell at the Brentwood Centre on Friday 22nd January.

Napa, 31, will be making the first defence in his second reign as champion when he tackles the Doncaster youngster.

The flashy Londoner regained the title in October with a deserved points win over Gary Davies.

It was a victory that saved the career of Napa (19-7) who had lost the European title earlier this year.

Promoter Frank Maloney said: "Ian always seems to comeback when he has suffered a defeat, but he cannot afford any more if he wants to reach world level.

"His European title loss against Malik Bouziane was a shock to him. After that fight myself and Ian's trainer Brian Lawrence told him he had to put more in to succeed.

"I cannot fault his application since and he proved himself once more by defeating Davies."

McDonnell, 23, (12-2-1) has won his last four fights with three of his victories coming inside the distance.

His only defeats were controversial points losses against Lee Haskins and Chris Edwards in a British super-flyweight title challenge.

On the same bill Cheshunt's cocky Ashley Sexton (8-0) faces fellow extrovert Usman Ahmed (6-2-1) in a clash for the vacant English flyweight championship.

On the comeback trail is former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson (27-4) who boxes for the first time since his defeat to Kevin Mitchell in March 2008.

Tickets for this top class show, priced £80 and £35 are available on line www.frankmaloney.com or 0871 226 1508