Doncaster champ Jamie will go up a weight for big pay day

Doncaster’s WBA bantamweight ruler is open to the possibility of campaigning at 122lbs - and facing the Cuban warrior.

The South Yorkshireman, 30, told Sky Sports: “I want the biggest fights. Defences like the last kid I fought (Mexican Fernando Vargas), you don’t get any respect because they expect you to bowl them over. I want the big names because it gives you more motivation to train.

“Most people write me off anyway so I like to prove them wrong. There’s no better way than jumping in with one of the best pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. I wouldn’t take the fight for a pay day - I genuinely believe I’m going to beat him.

“If you look at what I’ve won and you look at some of the other world champions, they’ve not won half of what I’ve won but they’re more recognised. But like I said, I’ll fight anyone. I’m out there to prove everyone wrong.

“There’s not much more I can do than keep getting in there and keep winning but if the Rigondeaux fight comes off, I’ll get the recognition then. I’m a massive underdog but that’s what I like. I like to get in there and prove people wrong and that’s the fight I want.

“I’ll fight him anywhere. It’s ideal to bring him over here but I’ve fought in America twice and done jobs on Tomoki Kameda.”