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McDonnell, 15-2-1 7 KO’s, makes his second defense of his European Bantamweight title, in Doncaster, England tonight against Belgian Stephane Jamoye 19-1-0 9 KO’s.
McDonnell had a good 2010, beating Ian Napa at the beginning of the year. He followed that up by travelling over to France to challenge for the European title held by Jerome Arnould, who he knocked out in 10, and rounded it all up by stopping Italian prospect Rodrigo Bracco in three rounds.
Jamoye is a good fighter; a swarming opponent and will probably play the part of the aggressor against McDonnell. He carries a little pop in his punch, no more than McDonnell, and has a great engine and a solid chin, much like McDonnell.
In fact they have similar qualities as fighters. Both have shown us grit and determination, they have both shown that they have no problem going over to another fighter’s backyard and doing the business.
The sole loss on Jamoye’s record is to undefeated Tomoki Kameda in a split decision battle, and notably one of the three times he has fought abroad.
Jamoye’s last fight was a cracker, against Giovanni Jaramillo, who was going into that fight undefeated, a real slugfest of a fight that ended in Jamoye stopping Spaniard Jaramillo in the 11th round, in Spain.
Where he may appear crude at times, it is in the trenches where Jamoye is happiest. McDonnell can sometimes be drawn into a slugfest, he is not afraid to stand and trade, although this would probably not be the best gameplan.
Jamoye is the kind of fighter that will wear opponents down, McDonnell needs to stick and move, fight off the back foot use his movement and accuracy to pick his shots and move off.
McDonnell’s two losses were both on points, one to Chris Edwards and one to Lee Haskins. Against Edwards, he was fighting at super flyweight, perhaps a stretch too far, also Edwards being another fighter who likes to put the pressure on.
As far as records go, Jamoye may have more fights under his belt but McDonnell has fought far better opponents.
It should be a close fight and as styles make fights it should make for good watching, it’s going the distance and should McDonnell come out with the right gameplan, and stick to it, then he should walk away with the win.
