DONCASTER's Jamie McDonnell has pledged to improve his boxing "one hundred per cent" under his Sheffield-based manager Dennis Hobson.
McDonnell, 21, who signed a two-year deal with Hobson this month, told The Star that he is relishing the chance to get his career back on track with new trainer Richard Poxon, who coached Clinton Woods to the IBF world light-heavyweight title.
Better known as a bantamweight, McDonnell fought for the British super-flyweight title last December after just nine pro-fights under his previous manager, John Rushton, only to lose to Stoke's Chris Edwards on a split decision. He also suffered a narrow points defeat against Bristol's Lee Haskins on his return to the ring in March.
McDonnell said: "I perhaps went for the British title too soon and should have waited a few years, but now I'm going to focus on my technique, diet and pad-work like I never have before.
"It's a much more professional approach here and I'll become 100 per cent better at this gym."
McDonnell insists he won't rush back into action and says that he has plenty of time to improve before he lines up another shot at the British title.
McDonnell, who holds the English bantamweight title. is set to make his debut for the Hobson stable at the Doncaster Dome - where he is unbeaten - in September.
"I'm looking at getting back into the ring in 13 or 14 weeks' time," said McDonnell. " I need some steady fights and will look to move up to eight rounds on a regular basis within the next year."
Reflecting on his professional career to date, the Doncaster prospect said: "I would have liked to have kept an unbeaten record, but I've learned a lot from my last two fights and shown people that, despite my age, I'm capable of doing 12 hard rounds in the ring."
Having visited Hobson's gym several times McDonnell has been quick to make friends.
The former National junior champion has already sparred with Sheffield light-middleweight Faizal Zahid and received diet tips from Bradford-based super-featherweight Femi Fehintola.
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