McDonnell defends title

10 May 2015 12:16

Jamie McDonnell survived an early knockdown to successfully defend his WBA bantamweight title in a narrow points victory over Japan's Tomoki Kameda in Texas on Saturday night.

The Doncaster fighter was felled by a sharp right hand in the third but got up off the canvas to claim a unanimous decision with all three judges handing him the bout 114-113 as he moved his record to 26-2-1.

The result condemned Kameda to a first defeat in 32 professional fights and McDonnell admitted he felt it would be tough to get a decision outside of the British Isles.

"I felt in control all the way through. It was a great performance. I know I should have just boxed but I wanted to fight," he said.

"I didn't think I was going to get the decision being abroad, but it's more than spectacular to come out of here victorious. He's a great, undefeated champion.

"His speed surprised me on the knockdown. I knew he was going to be fast, but I didn't expect it like that. I didn't see the shot and next thing I knew I was on the floor."

Kameda was quick to demand a rematch but was willing to give McDonnell credit for his performance.

"I think I won the fight," he said. "I did enough to win. He did a lot to win the last rounds, but I did more over the fight. I don't agree with the judges decision, but I respect it.

"I knew he would get up after the knockdown because he's a world champion. He's a great fighter and I take my hat off to him, but I won the fight.

"I want a rematch."

Scotland's Ricky Burns was also fighting on the same card and suffered a unanimous points loss to undefeated American Omar Figueroa.

Light welterweight Burns was deducted points for holding in the eighth and 11th rounds as the judges gave the Texan the decision 116-110, 116-110, 117-109, and the Coatbridge fighter was disappointed with the decisions from referee Laurence Cole.

"We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but I didn't agree with the deductions for holding," he said. "I thought he was holding as much as me and that's why I had to tie him up.

"We moved up in weight for this one but still had some trouble making weight, but I didn't want to jeopardise my chance to fight in America.

"I think it was his size that gave me problems more than anything. I don't know what weight he was in that ring, but it was a lot bigger than me.

"The plan was to try to stick to boxing for the first half of the fight, but once the size really took over I had to stand and exchange more than I would have liked. I couldn't get him off of me. I've got no excuses, as I said the best man will win."

Source: PA