WBA king hopes to remain on course for unification clash
Saturday 22 November 2014 11:06, UK
Jamie McDonnell will not let Javier Chacon stand in the way of his world title unification plans for 2015.
The Doncaster bantamweight defends his WBA belt against the Argentine on the bumper Cleverly v Bellew II bill this Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has already lined up a clash against WBO king Tomoki Kameda for early next year, but this ‘life-changing’ fight would be removed if McDonnell suffers a slip-up against Chacon.
“I’m getting a little bit of nerves. It’s more pressure,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve got to deliver in this fight.
“I’ve got the big fight after this, but I can’t look past this fight, so that’s why the pressure is there.
“You wouldn’t be normal if you didn’t get nerves, but I fight better under pressure. I do believe you’ll see a good performance tomorrow and I’ll look good.
“It’s life-changing, the fight after. This is a big fight in itself. I’m defending my world title on a big card, but the fight after this is even bigger, a unification fight. That would put pressure on anyone.”
I’ve got the big fight after this, but I can’t look past this fight, so that’s why the pressure is there.
The South American, who has suffered just one defeat, stepped in as a late replacement after the withdrawal of original opponent Walberto Ramos due to visa problems.
Ramos lasted the full 12 rounds in a points defeat against Anselmo Moreno, another world champion, and McDonnell is steeling himself for a gruelling battle.
“As soon as they mentioned this kid and I looked, I knew it would be a hard 12 rounds, possibly a late stoppage," he said.
“I’ve drilled it into myself, I’ve got 12 hard rounds. This kid gave Moreno 12 hard rounds and he’s been the champion for five years or something.
“If he’s given him a hard fight then he’ll give me a hard fight. I’m up there with Moreno, if not better.”
McDonnell can look ahead to a clash with Kameda if he is victorious this weekend and wants to acquire all of the belts before stepping up in weight.
“2015 is going to be my year,” he said. “I’m going to clear up at bantamweight, simple.
“I did the weight comfortably, probably the best I’ve felt. There is probably a good year in me, hopefully, I plan to dominate and pick up every belt.”
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.
