Jamie McDonnell will now take on Darwin Zamora of Nicaragua in Sheffield

Jamie McDonnell: Closing on a world title shot (pic - leighdawneyphotography.com)

Jamie McDonnell will face Darwin Zamora in his IBF title eliminator on Saturday night after original opponent Vusi Malinga withdrew.

The Doncaster bantamweight now takes on the current WBA Fedecentro super-flyweight champion from Nicaragua because Malinga was injured in sparring.

The fight provides chief support in Sheffield on Saturday night as Kell Brook takes on Hector Saldivia in their own final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title.

"Since the last fight I have just been ticking over. I would have liked to have been in the ring in that time."
Jamie McDonnell

McDonnell has fought just once since beating Stuart Hall last September, stopping Ivan Pozo in the second round of a European title defence in March, and is looking forward to returning to the ring.

"Malinga is a southpaw and Zamora is a southpaw," said McDonnell. "For this camp I had trained for a southpaw and, even though it wouldn't have been a problem to get an orthodox opponent, a southpaw is what we have been working towards.

"I have been sparring with lots of southpaw lads from the gym. Since the last fight I have just been ticking over. I would have liked to have been in the ring in that time.

"Personally, I like to have three or four weeks out and then get back into the gym, hitting it hard and preparing for the next fight but that hasn't been the case and I had more time out than I would have thought.

"I enjoyed some time off but as soon as I got the call about this fight I pulled my finger out and knuckled down."

Zamora brings a mixed record of 21-6-1 with 18 of those wins coming via stoppage, although he has been stopped on five occasions despite campaigning at fly or super-flyweight.

Join us at skysports.com/boxing for live and interactive commentary from Sheffield for Saturday Fight Night, featuring Kell Brook v Hector Saldivia.