Jamie McDonnell: I want a world title fight in 2012

European and Commonwealth bantamweight champion Jamie McDonnell says he wants to become a world champion in 2012 and is close to achieving his ambition.

McDonnell is currently training for his March 3 European title defence against Malik Bouziane and, though keen to stress he wasn't looking beyond his upcoming opponent, is extremely confident about his prospects at world-level.

"I want to get this fight out of the way, have a voluntary for the European [bantamweight title] – at least one more fight – and then maybe after that have a final eliminator [for a world title]," McDonnell said.

"One more European defence – a good 10 or 12 rounds against a good opposition and I think I'll be more or less ready.

"I don't just want to be going in [to a world title fight] and getting knocked out, I want to go in and win a world title. We'll just have to see what happens after this fight. At the end of the day as long as I keep winning, it's all experience. You can't have had enough fights before a world title so I'll take every fight as it comes.

"I'm going to be ready to step up I think [after] another fight – definitely.

"There's no need to rush. As long as I keep winning and am getting the right fights at the right times, it's all good."

McDonnell is on a 10 fight winning streak that includes victories over Stuart Hall, Stephane Jamoye, Jerome Arnould and Ian Napa and, though still young, has gained the experience that he believes to be crucial.

"I'm only 25 so there's no need to rush. I like to think there'll be a world title fight this year but even if it's next year, I'll only be 27," he added.

"I've got a good base fitness. I've done five or six weeks of solid training. There's been quality sparring partners in, plenty of sprints and, you know, just keeping on top of me diet.

"I'm ranked number two with the WBC (World Boxing Council) so, one more fight, two more fights and I'll become the mandatory [challenger to the WBC champion Shinsuke Yamanaka].

"I've travelled before – I went to France to become the European champion and knocked out Jerome Arnauld, so I've done it before. But I'd love get it in Doncaster – I want it in my hometown.

"But I'm 100 per cent confident. I'm not looking past my next fight, but as long as there aren't any dodgy judges I think I can go anywhere and win it, definitely."

Tickets for Jamie McDonnell versus Malik Bouziane can be purchased from www.frankmaloney.com

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