Hobson eyes more world title success with McDonnell
Jamie McDonnell’s manager, Dennis Hobson, believes Stuart Hall will serve as ideal preparation for his fighter en route towards securing him a possible future world title shot when the pair clash in a triple bantamweight championship showdown later this year. The recently inked contest between European and Commonwealth titleholder McDonnell and British champion Hall, exclusively revealed by BoxRec News yesterday, will kick-off the new boxing season in style at the Doncaster Dome on 3 September.
“It’s about pleasing SKY who hold a lot of influence in Boxing and also about delivering great fights that the public want to see. Most people within the trade will see this fight as 50-50 but naturally we are confident that Jamie will win. At no point did we want to sidestep Stuart Hall which is why we are making voluntary defences of our titles so this fight can happen,” explained Hobson to BoxRec News.
“Remember, Jamie is risking a lot more than Stuey in this fight. He’s the European and Commonwealth champion, he’s got a top ten world ranking with the WBC and could be on the verge of a world title eliminator in the future. Jamie’s very much in the same mould as Clinton Woods though (who Hobson brilliantly steered to world title success at the third time of asking). Jame’s never been given easy opponents and this fight against Stuart Hall is no exception.”
“Just like Clinton did, Jamie wants to earn respect the right way by taking on the best fighters. Joe Calzaghe had a great end to his career with some big wins against the likes of Jeff Lacy and more controversially against Bernard Hopkins, but before that he pulled out of fights against Clinton and Glen Johnson which resulted in him receiving some negative publicity at the time. Jamie will fight anyone you put in front of him and will duck no one which is what makes him so refreshing to work with,” continued Hobson.
There has been recent suggestions from the show’s promoter, Frank Maloney, that it would have been more financially viable for McDonnell vs Hall to take place at a venue in the North East (Hall resides in Darlington, in contrast McDonnell is based in Doncaster). So, did Team McDonnell insist on having home advantage before agreeing to the fight?
”No, not at all. I’ve not actually heard anything about the fight being worth more money if it was to take place in the North East, this was never propositioned to us, and I don’t share that particular view either. No disrespect to Stuart Hall but he’s no Ricky Hatton or Frank Bruno in terms of being a big ticket-seller. I actually think Jamie will shift more tickets for the fight in Doncaster than Stuart would if it was taking place in Darlington. Naturally, all fighters prefer having home advantage but Jamie is used to winning his fights on the road in contrast to Clinton Woods who was always a bit of a homebird,” commented Hobson.
Hobson, a successful businessman who isn’t reliant on boxing to cement his fortune, has faded from the mainstream spotlight in recent years following the end of his association with Ricky Hatton and the retirement of Clinton Woods in 2009. His relationship with McDonnell though has clearly reinvigorated Hobson’s passion for the sport as he sets his sights on leading another unfashionable fighter to unexpected world title glory, providing he can see off Hall.
”Stuart Hall’s going to be a really tough fight and one that Jamie can’t afford to be complacent in. He got caught with a few too many right hands last time out (against Kenya’s Nick Otieno) which we need to work on. Jamie’s a very good all-round fighter though, he’s capable of boxing on the front or back foot and we feel this extra versatility will ultimately decide the outcome in his favour,” reasoned Hobson.
” The gap between domestic and European level compared with the current world champions is significant so it’s important that Jamie keeps developing and stays busy against tough opposition. My daughter wants to be a singer and has an excellent voice. I’ve stressed to her though that if she’s wants to make it she’s got to keep improving by perfecting a variety of different songs so that people remember her, In the same way, these are the kind of exciting tests that Jamie needs to be involved in if he’s going to get to the top and be noticed.”
”Both myself and Frank (Maloney) have been lobbying the WBC to try and secure a world title eliminator for Jamie which we are confident we can move a step closer to if he can beat Hall. I have also enjoyed a good relationship with the IBF for many years so this could be another route that we may decide to go down.”
