Dave Coldwell’s desire to have Gavin McDonnell operate at elite level once more has been rewarded as the Doncaster star will face WBA beltholder, Danny Roman, in Los Angeles on October 20th. McDonnell’s previous flirt with boxing’s highest platform saw him fall short against Mexico’s Rey Vargas last year, but he has rebuilt since then with a number of solid wins against respectable opposition.

Coldwell is delighted with his charge and the progress he has made, and he’s heading to California in a confident mood.

“It’s the fight we all wanted for Gavin and a big thanks goes to Eddie Hearn for getting us the shot, buzzed an understandably ecstatic Coldwell. “One only has to look at the work that Gavin has put in since losing to Vargas and there’s no doubt at all in my mind that this is a fight he deserves. The year he’s had so far has been fantastic with brilliant and dominant wins over Gamal Yafai and Stuey Hall, and his prize for those performances is the world title in America against someone I know he’s very capable of beating.”

In Roman, McDonnell is opposed by a fighter who became world champion last year and has grown in confidence since seeing his status elevated.

A product of the thriving West Coast scene that currently exists, Roman’s profile is set to excel further due to his recent signing to Matchroom USA, but Coldwell holds no fears when discussing McDonnell’s chances against the latest boxer to be dubbed The Baby Faced Assassin.

“He’s a top fighter, but I don’t think he’s a Rey Vargas type of fighter. This is someone who Gavin can beat if he’s on top of his game and one thing I know about Gavin is that he never goes into the ring without giving 100%. Roman does a lot of stuff that impresses me, but so does Gavin, and I have no doubt that my man is a world class fighter capable of competing with the very best. He’s watched his brother go to other people’s backyards to get results and now Gavin is going to do it. October 20th is going to be the night when Gavin McDonnell shows the world just how good a fighter he really is.”