Jamie McDonnell not worried about facing knockout specialist Julio Ceja

Jamie McDonnell insists he is excited about the prospect of facing dangerous puncher Julio Ceja in his world title fight.

McDonnell will battle Ceja for the vacant IBF bantamweight belt at the Keepmoat Stadium in his hometown of Doncaster on May 11.

The unbeaten Ceja has a daunting record with 22 of his 24 wins coming by knockout, but McDonnell relishes the challenge of taming the big-hitting Mexican.
He told Ringside Toe 2 Toe podcast: "I buzz off that you know, some people talk to me and they are like: 'Look at this kid', but this is what I want.

"I've boxed kids with big knockout percentages, you know they've got to hit me to knock me out. It just spurs me on. I know I've got to pull my finger out and knuckle down, stick to a gameplan which I'm sure I'll do."

McDonnell did fear that the biggest fight of his life would be held in Mexico, but promoter Dennis Hobson secured him home advantage and he believes his fans could prove crucial.

"This opportunity it's massive in my hometown. A lot of people have to travel, but Dennis has done a brilliant job to get the fight over here," he said. "I'm in my own town, in a massive stadium. Hopefully we'll fill it and make history.

"I got a call last week saying it looks like we will have to go to Mexico. Chin didn't go down, but you start thinking what are the judges like? Are you going to get the decision? Are you going to have to stop him late on?

"That just boosts your confidence, knowing you're in your backyard, with everyone behind you if you have to dig in."

Sheffield welterweight Kell Brook will also fight for his first world title against Devon Alexander a week later on May 18 in Atlantic City and O'Donnell hopes to support his fellow Yorkshireman, with the IBF strap in his possession.

"Kell's got his fight on the 18th and hopefully, I'll do a job on this kid," he said. "I've mentioned to my girlfriend we might fly out there and support Kell with my world belt, so it'll be brilliant."