Gavin McDonnell ready for one final big push

Dunscroft’s two time world title challenger stopped Nathan Kirk in seven rounds at The Dome on Friday night to ensure there were no bumps in the road in his latest quest.

McDonnell is the mandatory contender for the European featherweight title and is expected to be granted an opportunity in the next few months.

While he would be delighted to become a two-weight European champion – he won the super bantamweight crown in 2015 – the potential doors back to world level that winning the title would open is his real focus.

“You’re one win away from things really developing,” he told the Free Press.

“If I win a European title, it opens up.

“Me facing the likes of Leigh Wood, Issac Lowe, Ryan Walsh – they don't make sense but for a European title and decent money, they do.

“All of a sudden all the British fighters want to fight you, neermind all the European fighters.

“It gives you a bit of pull, all the TV deals come on the back of it.

“I’m not looking at the British and European fighters – what I hope it will do is open up the possibility of a world level fight.

“I know it can do that.

“The plan now is to put all the eggs in one basket and give it one last blast.

“I really want to put some icing on the cake of a mint career.”

McDonnell admits he has been rejuvenated by the potential challenges ahead as he makes a final push in his career.

“I’m appreciating where I’m at and what I've got," he said.

“I’m looking forward to what is still there because at one stage I’m half thinking should I just pack it in because nothing was coming.

“We've got a little foot in the door now and what I plan on doing is giving it one last roll of the dice.

"I know if you work hard in this game then things will come.”

# Woodlands fighter Reece Mould returns to the ring in Leeds on Saturday night on the undercard of Josh Warrington's latest IBF featherweight title defence.

Reigning English featherweight champion Mould is set to face Nicaragua’s Bayardo Ramos over six rounds.