McDonnell out to ‘destroy’ Kameda in WBA bantamweight title rematch

Coral-sponsored WBA world bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell climbed off the canvas to outpoint Japanese rival Tomoki Kameda in their thrilling title bout in Texas last May, and the Doncaster-born fighter is now targeting a more clinical victory in an anticipated rematch.

Continuously written-off McDonnell retained his WBA crown with a points triumph over his Asian opposition on American soil, inflicting a maiden defeat on the previously untoppled 24-year-old, and is 11/10 to get the upper hand again in a repeat meeting.

Having courageously peeled himself from the floor in their first fight, McDonnell is now aiming to overcome Kameda more devastatingly, predicting a late stoppage and also outlining a progression to super-bantamweight as a future step.

“This is a massive fight and one I really wanted before looking at that move up to super bantamweight,” McDonnell stated. “The plan is to beat him again and then move up and I’d love the Scott Quigg fight; that would be a massive night.

“I’ve already proved that I belong at the elite level and it’s only four pounds, it’s not a massive difference and I am a big bantamweight.

“I feel I am hitting harder, I’ve been working on my power in the gym and I feel it’s going to pay off. I’m always in great shape and I’ve been flying in the gym.”

The 29-year-old has dug deep in his career, after suffering back-to-back defeats to fellow Brits Chris Edwards and Lee Haskins early in his professional ambitions, but he avoided being derailed completely during his blip and has gone unbeaten since those setbacks in 2007.

Now facing Kameda in the unforgiving Texas heat for a second time this year, McDonnell will have to start more brightly this time out if his goal of moving up divisions and facing Quigg are to become realistic, with his Japanese counterpart the odds-on 8/11 favourite to triumph.

“I am really looking forward to this one, I feel I have a lot to prove still even though I am a two-time world champion,” continued McDonnell. “We’re here and we’ve settled quickly and I am just going to soak it all up and I really feel that I am going to destroy him on Sunday.

“We know each other inside out because we’ve done 12 rounds. I can’t be sloppy, I’ve got to stay focused. I’ve got to forget the first fight because he’s going to bring his A-game to the table and so I am so it could be a totally different fight to the first one.”

The WBA title holder would face far more talented opposition in a potential climb up to super bantamweight, with Carl Frampton and Quigg both dangerous fighters at 122 pounds, but McDonnell must first prove himself in a heated Kameda rematch.

Watch McDonnell get prepared for his upcoming rematch with intense pad work alongside trainer Dave Coldwell in their Texas training camp.