JAMIE MCDONELL will celebrate his string of boxing upsets with a homecoming European bantamweight title defence next month.McDonnell (14-2-1) will make the first defence of his title against Italian Rodrigo Bracco (11-2) on Friday July 2 in his backyard at Doncaster Dome.
The Yorkshireman’s recent form has made him one of the favourites to be crowned Britain’s Young Boxer of the Year in October.McDonnell, 24, started the year with a bang outpointing Ian Napa to become British and Commonwealth champion and caused an even bigger upset in March travelling to France and stopping Jereome Arnould in ten rounds to win the Euro strap.He puts his recent success down to a gruelling fitness regime under trainer Steffy Bull and promised "I’m as fit as I’ve ever been."I broke the record on the cross trainer at the gym that was previously held by a triathlon champion."That was my first time on it and I’ve been around the same mark since even though I’ve not been trying to beat it. I’m preparing to go the whole 12 rounds."I feel that this is my time and I’m ready to go to the next level. I know it’s going to be tough but I believe I’m good enough. This year is becoming a big year for me."
Bracco, 30,was born in Chile, but moved to Italy as a child he was adopted as a youngster by a Florence hairdresser. In March he snatched the Italian title for the second time stopping previously undefeated Pio Antonio Nettuno in ten rounds
