Jamie McDonnell: the man who would be king

Jamie McDonnell on his way to victory over Fernando Vargas in the WBA bantamweight title fight. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire

And the Doncaster fighter has signalled his intent to unify the weight class at world level – unless a major domestic dust up with super bantamweights Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton can be made.

McDonnell stopped the woefully outclassed Vargas in the ninth round of a one-sided affair on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s IBF world heavyweight title triumph on Saturday night.

And he promised to sweep aside any man standing in his way of cleaning up at bantamweight.

“I’ve been on the road and proved I’m the best in the bantamweight division,” McDonnell said.

“I beat the WBO champion so I should have the IBF, WBA and WBO titles. I’ve defended the WBA belt four times.

“I’m the best at bantamweight. Forget Lee Haskins, Shinsuke Yamanaka, Juan Carlos Payano.

“I said to Eddie Hearne [promoter] to line those fights up and I will go and take the titles.

“As long as I’m fighting, I’m happy. And as long as there are fights there I can still make bantamweight.

“I don’t mind moving up to fight the likes of Scott Quigg or Carl Frampton. I believe if I move up I would beat them.

“But at the minute I am clearing up at bantamweight.”

The most likely fight next for McDonnell is a clash in the United States with Payano, the WBA’s ‘super’ champion at bantamweight.

The WBA have mandated the fight for this year and is expected to take place before the end of the summer.

McDonnell remained patient against tough resistance from late replacement Vargas in the early rounds.

And he stepped up in the second half before a flurry of shots that had the Mexican touching down saw the fight waved off in the ninth.