Jamie McDonnell has vowed to prove he is a class above Naoya Inoue in this Friday’s WBA bantamweight title fight.
The Doncaster man is making the seventh defence of his WBA ‘regular’ belt against Inoue this Friday afternoon in Tokyo, live on Sky Sports.
Inoue, nicknamed ‘The Monster, is seeking a world title in a third weight division, but McDonnell believes his ring skills will neutralise the renowned punch power of the home fighter.
“Right now I am in unbelievable physical and mental shape like never before,” said McDonnell.
“I have a good understanding that Naoya Inoue is a great boxer and a knockout artist, and he’s one of the best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound, but I can box with anyone.
“I am unbeaten for the last 10 years and I am a long-time world champion for four years.
“I do not think that Naoya Inoue has fought someone like me in his entire career. There is a difference in the boxing level between me and him.”
With 13 knockouts in 15 wins, Inoue is regarded as one of the top fighters in the world, having stopped Adrian Hernandez in just his sixth fight to win the WBC light-flyweight title, and he then knocked out Omar Narvaez a few months later to claim the WBO super-flyweight strap.
But the 25-year-old steps up to 118lbs for the first time in his career to face McDonnell, who wants to show he is the top fighter in a division that also includes fellow world champions Ryan Burnett, Zolani Tete and Emmanuel Rodriguez.
“I came to Japan to prove that I am a strong world champion,” said the 32-year-old McDonnell.
“I am very excited and motivated with this fight against Naoya Inoue. I am convinced that I am the best bantamweight in the world.”
