Gavin McDonnell low key return on the weekend

[Ruthless-RKO]

Just four months earlier he stood in a ring at a packed Hull Ice Arena, in the main event, to contest the WBC super bantamweight title with the precociously talented Rey Vargas.

As the end of boxing's unofficial season approached, he found himself back where his professional career started in a far less high-profile contest.

Across the ring stood Simas Volosinas of Lithuania, a man who had won seven of 68 fights and only once triumphed in his last 41 bouts.

Plenty of credit must go to McDonnell for pushing for a fight when he could easily have sat at home and awaited his next opportunity in the upper levels of the super bantamweight division.

But this is a fighter determined to keep busy and remain in the best possible shape for whatever his storied career delivers next.



McDonnell needed a workout and that is exactly what he got. Volosinas was planted in the middle of the ring which allowed McDonnell to dance around him and unleash shots.

[Loynesy]

Never begrudge a fighter earning a living, but surely a couple of hard spars with lower oz gloves would have been more effective?

[Tangerine]

volosinas gets used all the time for journeyman gigs.Like you say,it gets Mcdonnell out and keeps him ticking over.Maybe it could be said its pretty pointless but if anything it gives Steffy Bulls show a nice little lift with having a big local name on the show.Its not on TV taking up any slots for competitive fights etc.

Someone on a podcast I was listening to last night suggesting its a sign of the end for Gavin and Matchroom...Im not sure i see it like that tbh but I maybe im just being naive lol

[dhb-raging bull]

Stefy manages gavin I saw tweets in the build up saying Eddie was OK for the idea to get a few rounds and like you say it was nice for gavin to get back on a local show after his profile as risen and all his local fans being able to make it to the show easier from what I've seen on twitter gavin will stay be on match room shows in the future

[Stuffs]

Never begrudge a fighter earning a living, but surely a couple of hard spars with lower oz gloves would have been more effective?

Sparring probably a harder work out, but I think just going through the motions of a fight night again, in front of people, making some sort of weight etc can't compare. Plus getting an official win, no matter how easy or one sided it may have been (I've not seen it so don't know, but from such previous bouts I've seen).

I think these sorts of fights for the 'name' fighter are just about re-enforcing the fight night mentality more than anything else.

[coneye]

7 WINS INN 69 FIGHTS , 1 WIN IN THE LAST 41 .. C,MON Its a complete pisstake , a waste of time , and absolutly no good for anyone concerned , why the eff do the BBBC even allow it , why would a promoter even have the cheek to put this on a paying show .. These fights are risky , useless , make me hope the other guy does'nt read the script and connects with the lucky punch which . knocks the fornicator right out , and knocks the smile of there faces .

[tobyh5]

Never begrudge a fighter earning a living, but surely a couple of hard spars with lower oz gloves would have been more effective?

Sparring probably a harder work out, but I think just going through the motions of a fight night again, in front of people, making some sort of weight etc can't compare. Plus getting an official win, no matter how easy or one sided it may have been (I've not seen it so don't know, but from such previous bouts I've seen).

I think these sorts of fights for the 'name' fighter are just about re-enforcing the fight night mentality more than anything else.

Was scrolling to post exactly the same. Spot on. Hard sparring does not duplicate all of the fight night nerves, making weight, walking out in front of a crowd, lighter gloves, referee etc.

Besides, McDonnell got a completely unjustified shot at a title, is not exactly Mr Ticket Seller nor Mr Big Name so it is not as if AJ just turned out in the Watford Leisure Centre

[craigjenkins05]

Ridiculous the way these boxers are allowed to pad out their records how the BBofC sanction fights like this is beyond me a guy coming off a world title points defeat