When they fought on May 9 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas, WBA World bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell (26-2-1, 12 KOs), from Doncaster, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, decisioned Tomoki Kameda (31-1, 19 KOs), from Tokyo, Japan, after 12 rounds of action. It was a tough fight. McDonnell was down in the third. The decision was unanimous but it was close. All three judges scored it 114-113.

But when they rematch Sunday afternoon at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, this time McDonnell is leaving nothing to chance.

“We know each other inside out because we’ve done 12 rounds,” says McDonnell. “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 it could be a totally different fight to the first one. I think it will be a fast paced fight. I started too slowly last time so I don’t want that to happen again. I believe I will stop him late. I took him into the trenches last time but I didn’t put it on him enough. I think I will make that big statement and then move up.”

McDonnell has his eye on WBA World super bantamweight champion Scott Quigg.

“I’d love the Scott Quigg fight,” he says. “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 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. But 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 Kameda on Sunday.”

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.