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McDonnell presses his case for world title shot

ESPN staff
September 3, 2011
Jamie McDonell will now have his eyes set on a world title © Getty Images
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Jamie McDonnell moved a step nearer to a world title shot after adding Stuart Hall's British bantamweight title to his European and Commonwealth belts with a battling points victory at the Doncaster Dome.

McDonnell was the busier of the two fighters and, although at times Hall landed with the cleaner shots, the more experienced McDonnell did enough to impress the judges, with all three naming him the victor.

Hall, who only turned professional three years ago at the age of 28, entered with an unbeaten record but having never fought for 12 rounds. Perhaps knowing he was behind on the scorecards, Hall upped the tempo in the later rounds and briefly threatened a comeback. However, McDonnell, continued to trade and finished the stronger, with his latest triumph improving his record to 18 wins, two defeats and one draw.

On the undercard, Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries returned from a nine-month lay-off to defeat Paul Morby on points. A serious cut in his win over Tommy Tolan in December forced Jeffries, 26, to endure a lengthy spell out of the ring and at times his rustiness showed during the eight-round light-heavyweight bout.

He lost his way in the middle rounds and was given a scare as Morby's attacks opened up a cut above his right eye. However, he did enough for referee Howard Foster to award him every round.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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