McDonnell headlines bumper 13-fight Maloney show to kick-off 2011

Frank Maloney launches 2011 with a 13 fight spectacular at Doncaster’s Dome on Saturday January 22. Local hero Jamie McDonnell (15-2-1) heads the all-star line up when he makes the second defence of his European bantamweight title against Belgian Stephane Jamoye (19-1). The rest of the bill is made up by hot prospects and former champions desperate for one last crack at the big time.

McDonnell, 24, was one of Britain’s best performers last year, but faces a tough challenger whose only defeat came against unbeaten Japanese star Tomoki Kameda back in August.

Maloney said: “Jamie upset Ian Napa and Jermoe Arnould last year, but the pressure is now on him. He is fighting in his hometown and most people expect him to win and go on and challenger for world honours.”

In the chief supporting contest Leeds former British super-featherweight champion Carl Johanneson (29-4) boxers Akaash Bhatia (15-1) in a crossroads fight. The winner will be in line to face British champ Gary Sykes, while the loser will have nowhere to go.

Napa (19-9) suffered back-to-back British title losses against McDonnell and Stuey Hall in 2010 and must beat Mancunian southpaw Terry Flannigan (8-0) or face retirement on the Doncaster undercard. Sheffield middleweight Liam Cameron (7-0) is one of British boxing’s most talked about talents and face Leicester’s durable Lester Walsh over six rounds.

Also on the bill is Sunderland’s big hitting Glenn Foot who bids to make it a hat-trick of first round wins when he face Birmingham’s Dee Mitchell (9-11) who has only been stopped once in 20 fights.