Ian Napa begins what could be a career defining double header tonight when defending his British bantamweight title against Jamie McDonnell, live on Sky Sports from 10pm.
If 31 year old Napa can impress against his younger challenger at the Brentwood leisure centre, a crack at the vacant European title will be his reward.
23 year old Doncaster prospect Jamie McDonnell stands in his way however and the fighter ranked 3rd in Britain at the weight refuses to be used as a stepping stone in his rival’s career.
Since turning professional in 2005 the 5ft 8inch orthodox has lost only twice during an impressive fifteen fight career. Suffering back to back defeats at the hands of Chris Edwards and Lee Haskins may have set McDonnell’s career back slightly, yet three knockout victories in his last four outings set the wheels firmly back in motion.
Although the one time super-flyweight has bulked up to devastating effect, odds compilers don’t value the possibility of an upset, pricing the challenger as a 9/4 outsider.
31 year old Napa may be a twelve year veteran of the sport, yet the fighter nicknamed `Dappa` has been enjoying arguably the best form of his career of late. Ranked number two at the weight behind Scotland’s Kris Hughes, the Zimbabwe-born fighter could cement his place as the country’s most talented `little man` with a convincing win here.
The Hackney based orthodox has endured a rollercoaster career with the likes of Jason Booth, Damaen Kelly and Martin Power contributing to his seven career defeats.
The 5ft 1inch pocket rocket avenged that defeat to Booth in 2007 however, claiming the British title, and the popular puncher has gone on to defend his Lonsdale strap on no less than four occasions, a run which has seen him claim the belt outright.
With an impressive record of 19 wins, 1 inside the distance, against seven defeats, Napa enters this one as a red hot 2/5 favourite with Skybet.
McDonnell stands an incredible seven inches taller than his opponent and will no doubt be out to utilise that advantage but I’m afraid `Dappa` has seen it all before. The champion always guarantee’s a high work rate when stepping into the ring, but with a lowly 4% KO average, it is obvious that his talents don’t lie in a fight changing punch.
McDonnell has stopped his last two opponents inside three rounds so a fast start is guaranteed, but I see Napa’s experience proving vital here and the added incentive of a crack at the European title should see him through.
I fully expect the challenger to begin brightly, keeping his man on the end of straight shots, before Napa finds his reach and begins to put the middle and late rounds in the bank.
Although McDonnell has been the scheduled twelve round distance only once, he has never been stopped and I don’t see his chin being tested in this bout, meaning the champion to make a successful defence via a unanimous points decision looks to be the best value available at 8/11.
