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Gavin McDonnell gets his first crack at a world title this Saturday in Hull, England, in a Sky Sports main event against Mexico’s Rey Vargas, with the vacant WBC super bantamweight belt at stake.
McDonnell (16-0-2, 4 KO) is not known for his power, and may appear the underdog on paper against Vargas (28-0, 22 KO), but he says he’s prepared to give Vargas some surprises:
"People and fighters say to me, you look easy, you don't hit hard, and then they get in and have a bit of a shock. I have proven that over time and this Saturday, if Rey Vargas hasn't prepared, or underestimates me in the slightest, I'm going to make him pay."
In all honesty, while McDonnell doesn’t hit hard, it hasn’t been a major problem for him thus far. A crafty boxer, he’s got a fine shot at winning this fight, one that is probably more 50-50 than anything. It’s a step up for Vargas, too, and it’s McDonnell who will have home field advantage, if it comes down to a psychological game.