British Scene: McDonnell Makes Successful First Defence

Dave Oakes recaps this past Friday's European title clash between Jamie McDonnell and Rodrigo Bracco.

Jamie McDonnell destroyed an outgunned Rodrigo Bracco inside three one-sided rounds at the Doncaster Dome on Friday night to retain his European bantamweight title.

There was a certain amount of pressure on McDonnell as he was making the first defence of the title he won so impressively against Jerome Arnould in front of his hometown fans. He was never tested though, as he relentlessly hammered his Italian foe from the first bell until the referee’s stoppage in the third.

McDonnell took charge of the fight immediately, ramming stiff jabs through Bracco’s open defence and then catching him with firm hooks. When the onslaught continued into the second round you could tell that Bracco would be lucky to survive until the midway point at best.

The way McDonnell went about his business was impressive, he ruthlessly walked down his opponent and picked him apart. The end came in the third when a jolting right made the Italians knees buckle, McDonnell jumped on him and smashed away until the referee saved a sagging Bracco from taking further punishment.

The win reiterates the opinion that McDonnell is the most improved British boxer of the past twelve months. He said after the fight that he believes he can win a world title. That might be a hard task considering the number of quality fighters at 118lbs, but he’s got time on his side and can improve further before taking that step-up in class.

Curtis Woodhouse continued his good form on the undercard with a workman like victory over Stefy Bull.  Woodhouse started quickly and landed some energy sapping body shots on his experienced opponent.

Bull came into the fight in the middle rounds as both combatants tried to outman the other. It was the heavier punching of Woodhouse that was causing the most damage, with Bull visibly tiring as the fight wore on. The end came in the ninth after Woodhouse connected with a powerful right that shook an exhausted looking Bull, forcing the referee to stop the fight straight away.

Woodhouse is due to take on Frankie Gavin next on Frank Warren’s impressive looking ‘Magnificent Seven’ show in September. In my opinion, Gavin is the best prospect in world boxing at the minute and it’s going to be a big ask of Woodhouse to make an impression on him. He will definitely give it all he’s got though; he has that steely determination deep inside him that will make him a handful for anyone he gets in the ring with.

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