But the world could soon become his oyster!
When Jamie McDonnell won the WBA bantamweight crown, on the under-card of the Froch v Groves II card at Wembley Stadium, many pundits thought it was poetic justice.
The likeable Jamie now stands on the precipice of making a real name for himself in the game and tonight at the Liverpool Arena he takes on Javier Chacon knowing that a win would give him a life-changing fight in a unification bout against the WBO champion, Tomoki Kameda, in Las Vegas.
Many boxers never get the chance to fulfil that sort of dream nut Jamie is perfectly aware of the pressure it puts on his shoulders as he prepares to take on Chacon, a fighter that has won 20 out of his 22 fights and is a more than capable opponent for McDonnell after his original opponent Walberto Ramos withdrew, on Monday, due to visa problems.
Talking about the pressure he faces, McDonnell had this to say to the media,
?I feel pressure on this fight, not just with the big night on pay-per-view but with what?s at stake after it,? McDonnell said. ?It?s life-changing. I can pay my house off.’
?I?ve thought about what I?ll be able to do. I won?t have to go grafting my backside off.?
?But you start thinking about what happens if I don?t win on Saturday. My house wouldn?t be paid off so I?d have to be working for at least another 20 years to pay it off.?
?This could make life that bit easier. I can go back plastering self-employed and do the jobs I want when I want.?
?I?ve just had a baby. You have to plan a bit. I?m not doing it for myself any more, it?s for the family.’
?That?s the pressure you really feel but I?m good under pressure. It brings out the best in me.?
Pressure can be a strange thing, it can hinder you or it can be used as an incentive. McDonnell has the class to deal with Chacon and he just needs to stay cool, box as well as he did at Wembley and then wait for that opening to take his man out.
Once he hears his name heralded as the winner and still WBA bantamweight champion of the world, the world will be his oyster, mark my words!
McDonnell Feeling the Pressure!
