After being stripped, in strange circumstances, of his IBF world title strap, Doncaster?s James McDonnell took the opportunity to grab the WBA bantamweight belt last night.
On the Wembley under-card, McDonnell was matched against the unbeaten Thai fighter Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat, a fighter who incidentally had never fought outside of his native Thailand before.
McDonnell?s game-plan was obvious from the start, his corner had instructed him to keep the fight at distance and not get involved in a close range brawl with the dangerous Thai fighter.
The Doncaster man did exactly that, jabbing, moving and keeping his opponent at arms range. As the rounds sped by, McDonnell never wavered in his game plan and Rachawat begun to look tired.
Round ten saw the fight end in spectacular style. Sensing the opportunity was there to finish the contest, McDonnell moved in close and caught his opponent with a hard left hook that saw his opponent crumple.
Bedecked in his newly attained WBA belt, it was a jubilant McDonnell that proclaimed to the ring reporter,
?It?s a good night?s work.?
It certainly was and now McDonnell has the chance to make some serious money whilst also enhancing his reputation as a deserved word champion.
McDonnell Claims WBA Belt
