Gavin McDonnell’s step up saw him claim a points win, a unanimous points win at that, over Vusi Malinga.
Gavin McDonnell’s step up saw him claim a points win, a unanimous points win at that, over Vusi Malinga.
He would have known he was in a fight come the end as his experienced 34-year-old South African opponent landed some decent blows but McDonnell was always in control really to win the WBO International super bantamweight title in Hull.
McDonnell might have suffered a damaged nose and a cut eye but was more in control during the fight with the judges scores of 116-111, 116-111 and 115-112 in his favour reflective of this.
Having forced his opponent into a standing eight-count McDonnell tried to get the job done but had to settle for the points decision, with his cut eye as the result of a clash of heads but Malinga scored points for this.
He says he was ‘over the moon’ following the win, which he thinks justifies his belief that he belongs at this level, telling Sky Sports: ‘It’s been on my mind all week how tough this fight were. I couldn’t imagine myself winning. I’m just glad I’ve got it over with and set a few records straight.
‘I belong at this level. He outworks people and at times I had to stick in there with him but I stuck to my gameplan and got the win.’
A European Title fight is something that McDonnell hopes for in the not too distant future.
