DONCASTER?S Jamie McDonnell is using criticism as a motivator for his big bantamweight clash with Stuey Hall this weekend.
The reigning European and Commonwealth king vies to regain the British title he vacated last year against the hard hitting Darlington man, but one thing he wants to recapture more is the respect of those who have doubted him.
In April McDonnell was ringside to watch Hall win the Lonsdale belt outright with an impressive five round demolition of John Donnelly and played down speculation about the match up when interviewed by Sky, promoting some people to accuse him of not fancying the job.
?When I went up to watch his fight with Donnelly, people made out that I didn?t want to face him and I looked a bit scared but that wasn?t the case,? McDonnell, 17-2-1 (7), explained. ?My dad phoned me up soon afterwards and said how it came across on screen and I was fuming so I rang Dennis [Hobson] up and told I wanted to put it to rest.
?I?m a lot better fighter than Stuey Hall. He hasn?t got owt that can worry me so why would I be scared of him? He?s got a bit of power but I?ve been in with bigger punchers. He?s never done 12 rounds, I?ve done it three or four times and most of the pluses are in my favour.
?I just can?t see him beating me and I believe I?ll do a good job on him. I don?t think it?s a 50/50 fight like people say, have a look at who he?s boxed and who I?ve boxed. He?ll have done his homework and he?ll be game but I?ll have too much for him.
?I?m as hungry to win now as I was when I boxed [Ian] Napa. If someone said to me they could guarantee me a win but I wouldn?t get any money, then I?d take it.?
Much like a fork in the road, McDonnell sees the fight leading to two locations. Victory could lead to a chance for him to try and establish himself on the global stage, while defeat will force him to consider his future in the sport.
?I feel the best I?ve ever done and I?ve said to people that if I can?t beat Stuey Hall feeling like this then I might as well jack in,? Jamie declared. ?I?m not going to let him beat me because if he does the dream is over and there?ll be nothing for me to fight for anymore.
?But I think a win will make me in Britain. After beating Stuey Hall I don?t think there?ll be anyone out there who can call me out anymore. Hopefully I can go on and win a world title after this fight.
?I?d like to fight someone in the top five and maybe get an eliminator. Nonito Donaire is a bit special but like everyone else he?s got two arms and two legs. I?m a big bantamweight so there?s no reason why I can?t go out and cause an upset.
?I?ve been watching all the top bantamweights. I saw Abner Mares? fight with Agbeko and he?s got a good work rate but I don?t think he?s that special. Donaire is the king. Everyone above me in the WBC rankings is top class and I?ve only got to beat one of them to get to be in with a shot at titles?.
He added: ?I?d love to be a world champion from Doncaster. There?s never been one before so it?s goal for me to achieve and I believe it?s a realistic goal.?
