Jamie McDonnell has signed up to meet Tomoki Kameda in a World Bantamweight title unification clash next year – providing he beats Walberto Ramos at the sold-out Echo Arena in Liverpool on November 22, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
McDonnell tackles Ramos in his first defence of the WBA crown he won at Wembley Stadium in May, stopping Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat in the tenth round to become a two-time World champion.
Unbeaten Japanese star Kameda defends his WBO strap tomorrow night in Chicago against Mexican Alejandro Hernandez, and should he prevail in his third defence of the title, all eyes will be on Merseyside as McDonnell faces Colombian danger man Ramos who comes into the contest on the back of four consecutive KO triumphs.
“I’m delighted to deliver this huge unification fight for Jamie,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Kameda will defend his title this Saturday and Jamie will fight Ramos on November 22. Then, if they both come through, the pair will meet in a huge unification fight in the States early next year.
“I’m so pleased Jamie will get his chance to shine in the big lights – he is a two-time World champion and now has the opportunity to unify the division, he deserves every credit. It makes the Ramos fight even more important. All eyes will be on him at the Echo Arena on November 22 and it’s vital he gets the win and makes a statement to the US audience.”
McDonnell’s clash with Ramos is part of a massive night of action in Liverpool as bitter rivals Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew meet in a hotly anticipated rematch. Scott Quigg defends his WBA Super Bantamweight World title against Japan’s Hidenori Otake.
Super Middleweight foes James DeGale MBE and George Groves face tough tests against Marco Antonio Periban and Denis Douglin while Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua MBE defends his WBC International title against Michael Sprott in a British title eliminator.
