• Boxing

McDonnell claims shock win

ESPN staff
January 22, 2010

Jamie McDonnell upset the odds to win the British bantamweight title and claim the vacant commonwealth crown on a split points decision over Ian Napa.

The Doncaster fighter defeated the 31-year-old Napa, who would have gone on to fight for the European bantamweight title if successful, to the surprise of much of the crowd.

The 23-year-old, who suffered notable eye-swelling after a clash of heads in the first round, ended the fight strongly - peaking in the final round, where he landed a string of punches as the action became frenzied.

Reacting to his victory, he said: "I'm over the moon. All the hard work over Christmas has paid off, and it means everything. It opens all the doors - I'll have a defence soon - and I wouldn't mind Ian's European title fight."

Napa said: "I've got to watch the fight and see where I went wrong. I never thought I lost the fight - but what can I say? Full respect to Jamie, but I thought I won the fight. I don't know what it takes to win a fight sometimes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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