Jamie McDonnell, British, Commonwealth and the New European Bantamweight champion

Jamie McDonnell the British and Commonwealth champion, added the vacant European bantamweight title to his collection last night, stopping Jerome Arnould in Alpes-Maritimes, France, becoming the first Doncaster boxer in over 50 years to hold three belts at the same time.

The 23 year-old Doncaster man got his shot at the title when he scored a controversial points win over Ian Napa in January and was not expected to defeat the Frenchman, after struggling with Napa, and Napa was lined up to fight Arnould himself.

McDonnell was un-ruffled in spite of facing a much more experienced opponent and fighting in Anould’s back yard, dominated the fight from the start, before stopping the Frenchman in the 10th round.

The tall rangy McDonnell took control of the fight in the early stages and Arnould struggled to contain the Doncaster man in front of a stunned home crowd at the impressive concert hall, La Palestre in Alpes-Maritimes.

Since his defeat by Ukranian Wladimir Sidorenko, Arnould has won his last eight fights, five of them inside the distance, and fourteen of Arnould’s 22 wins in a 26-fight career, have been inside the distance, but McDonnell made a mess of any preconceived ideas that he may be out of his depth here.

Arnould did pick it up in the seventh and eighth rounds, trying to take the fight to McDonnell, but he could not shift McDonnell, who just wasn’t to be denied, in this his most defining fight as a professional, he came of age here and could become a better champion, than he had been challenger, now he knows he has the talent to mix it and win at this level.

His relentless pressure was rewarded in the 10th when a series of hooks dislodged Anould’s mouthpiece while he retreated to the ropes.

There was a brief reprieve while the referee retrieved the mouthguard, but McDonnell then forced the finish after flooring Arnould.

Such a shame there was no live UK TV coverage of this fight.

McDonnell, who improves his record to 14-2-1-(6), should now make the first defence of his title against Napa, who is still smarming after his loss to McDonnell, this sets up the rematch nicely for an all British tripple title showdown in a anticipated rematch, some things are just written. Congratulations Jamie on a fine performance.

By Chris Maylett

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