[Wallet]

Dennis Hobson believes he will have no problem in selling new world champion Jamie McDonnell to American fight fans.

After he captured the IBF world bantamweight title at the Keepmoat on Saturday, McDonnell's next step should be to conquer the US according to manager Hobson.

And the Sheffield promoter believes his win over the highly-rated young Mexican Julio Ceja will provide the perfect advert.

"The Americans will love him," Hobson said.

"When I go to (broadcaster) HBO in a few weeks and take a DVD of the fight, they'll be all over him.

"They're looking for another superstar over there and we've got one."

"He's a special talent and the most exciting thing about Jamie is that he's still improving.

"That's a scary prospect when you see what he did on Saturday.

"They were talking about Ceja like he was the next superstar coming out of Mexico.

"Nacho Beristain in his corner is one of the most renowned trainers in the world.

"He wouldn't want to be involved with an also-ran.

"They thought it was a given he was going to arrive and have 15 years at the top of the world.

"But they didn't count on Jamie McDonnell."

After a somewhat disappointing crowd turned out at the Keepmoat to watch McDonnell's title win, he is likely to head out on the road with his first defence.

http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.u...on-with-doncaster-s-jamie-mcdonnell-1-5664848

 

[Lilo]

Hobson hyping him as he should. Can't see HBO wanting him unless it is to feed him to a TopRank/American fighter.

Can't imagine HBO buying McDonnell vs Hall II or McDonnell vs Haskins II

Good luck to them though and he's right about Nacho, they were obviously confident!

 

[JFT96]

He's got a point. He has a pleasing style to watch IMO- he throws a lot of punches, has a lot of variety to his work and whilst not bad defensively, can certainly take a few too. If only he had a bit more power, we could be looking at a top fighter. However even still, his career is taking an almost Ricky Burns like trajectory after a couple of early losses. In fact, he had more challenging fights before getting his shot than Ricky and they'll only hold him in good stead for the future. Ceja was not one of these undefeated fighters whose record is padded either, he'd beaten some of the most respected lower weight gatekeepers on the Mexican circuit.

Picking up the belt now is perhaps at an advantageous time for him. 3 of the best around his weight class are all at SBW or higher now in Mares, Rigo and Donaire and those fighters are stars who he wouldn't have much chance against. But those left behind in a shopworn Vic, Yamanaka, Malinga, Cazares and possibly even Moreno down the line are not unwinnable fights. There's potentially some really intriguing fights for him and I'd be disappointed if he ended up defending against the likes of Hall or Haskins. Going over to America might be smart because the chances are he'd be appreciated more than over here due to his style & the fact he'd have more meaningful fights there.

 

[JFT96]

Just looked again at the division and there's even more worthwhile names for him to look at. Koki Kameda, a shot Agbeko, Esquivel even Tyson Marquez looks to have moved up. All good fighters but not special ones and if Jamie us brought along carefully and sensibly, he can make a really nice resumé for himself as a Bantamweight champion.

 

[Cookie]

Anyone that is good enough will go places. But this lad will have a hard time carving out a market for himself. A British fighter at the top in the lowest weights will be looking at facing tough fights for poor money, probably away from home and on an undercard.

But if he wins then he wins.

 

[sim_reiss]

Absolutely no chance. All the respect in the world for McDonnell as a fighter but last week showed he is a million miles from being a superstar...

 

[adamcanavan]

Hobson is a million miles off with his assessment of mcdonnell in almost every aspect, really like mcdonnell though and think he can win possibky another title and move up to super bantam. I rate him highly.