Thursday, March 28, 2024  |

News

Aficianado

Jamie McDonnell-Juan Alberto Rosas set for London on April 9

Fighters Network
01
Apr

British bantamweight star Jamie McDonnell (27-2-1, 12 KOs) will return to action against Juan Alberto Rosas in London, England, on April 9.

McDonnell, who is rated No. 4 by THE RING at 118 pounds, is coming off a brace of career defining decision wins over Tomoki Kameda in 2015 and is delighted to be back on home soil as he looks to stake his claim as the best bantamweight in the world.

“I cannot tell you how good it feels to be back fighting in the U.K.,” said McDonnell in a press release issued by Matchroom Boxing. “Training has been perfect, I am feeling a million dollars and I am looking forward to putting on a great performance and showing everyone what I am about.

“I have known for the last eight weeks that I would be on this show so we have been training towards April 9 for a while.”



Rosas, a former IBF junior bantamweight titleholder, holds victories over former champion Zolani Tete and Alejandro Gonzalez and could present a tough examination for the Doncaster man.

“He beat Tete, who is a top fighter, and Gonzalez, who gave Carl Frampton a great world title fight, so he has mixed it with the best and is very experienced,” acknowledged McDonnell.

“Rosas is only 31 years old so he will still be hungry and he will want it. I hope we can put on a great fight and I am 100 per cent confident that I can beat him.

McDonnell continued, “If I win there have been talks of the Juan Carlos Payano (WBA titleholder) fight. There is also the Lee Haskins fight (IBF titleholder). I wouldn’t mind Shinsuke Yamanaka (WBC titleholder) as it is me or him who is the best in the division.”

Editor’s note: McDonnell-Rosas will be contested for a version of the WBA bantamweight title which is unrecognized by THE RING.

The bout supports Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title challenge against Charles Martin. Lee Selby also defends his IBF featherweight title against Eric Hunter.

SIGN UP TO GET RING NEWS ALERTS