Jamie McDonnell says he will go into his first title defence with his eyes opened after a last gasp change of opponent.
Visa issues for scheduled challenger Walberto Ramos forced him out of Saturday’s WBA bantamweight title fight in Liverpool with Javier Chacon stepping in at late notice.
Doncaster fighter McDonnell admitted he would have been going in blind to face Ramos after his team could not uncover any footage of the Columbian.
But seeing Chacon switched in to the fight has allowed he and trainer Dave Hulley to research the opponent and he is confident of victory.
“We didn’t get any footage of Ramos but we’d prepared well to be ready for anything,” McDonnell told the Star.
“It changing to this kid has at least let us have a proper look at him.
“Changing at the last minute isn’t too disruptive – it happens in boxing.
“You’re training for top kids any way because that’s all you get at this level.
“And I think what we’ve been working on is perfect for this kid.
“I’ve sparred plenty with Josh Warrington (European featherweight champion) and this kid isn’t going to be tougher than Josh.”
Chacon has beaten 20 of his 22 opponents and five inside the distance. He took WBA ‘Super’ bantamweight champion Anselmo Moreno the distance in Panama in March but was convincingly beaten on points.
That was Chacon’s only fight to date outside his native Argentina and his last outing was just six weeks ago.
From what he has seen on YouTube, McDonnell is confident of coming through his first world title defence unscathed.
He said: “This lad is a tough kid and I think he hits harder than what his record suggests.
“He’ll be coming for 12 hard rounds and I’m ready for 12 hard rounds.
“It might be short notice but I don’t see any reason why I can’t dust this kid.”