Family Fortunes: Gavin McDonnell Wants to Follow in His Brother's Footsteps

Gavin McDonnell gets the chance to step out of the shadows on Saturday night as he defends his European super bantamweight title in Sheffield, England.

The 29-year-old (13-0-2, 4 KOs) features on a card that is headed by a first outing for Chris Eubank Jr. since he signed up with promoters Matchroom Boxing.

However, McDonnell’s clash with experienced Frenchman Jeremy Parodi has the potential to be the pick of the bouts on a card that will be televised by Sky Sports.

For the champion, it is more than just a title defence.

Parodi, whose last loss came at the hands of Northern Irishman Carl Frampton just over two years ago, is a gatekeeper to bigger and better things for McDonnell.

He has his sights set on becoming a world champion, a feat already achieved by twin brother Jamie.

Competition from opponents is one thing, but a sibling rivalry is altogether different. While you love and support your family, there is something in-built in the brain to try and outdo the other.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Gavin admitted seeing his brother holding aloft a world title is all the motivation he needs to do the same:

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Jamie has obviously set the bar high but it's up to me, it's my duty. It's every fighter's dream to become a world champion but because my brother has done it, I know if you work hard and push yourself, you can do it.

I genuinely believe I can win a world title. That's why I got into boxing. I was always known as Jamie's brother but now I am starting to get credit.

Following in his [Jamie’s] footsteps puts a lot of pressure on me for every fight but it also adds that extra motivation because I know I am going to be compared to him—and I want the comparisons to favour me! 

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So, can McDonnell keep on rising in the rankings and earn himself a shot at a major belt in a crowded division?

Dave Coldwell, who trains both brothers, is ideally placed to talk about Gavin’s development. He told World Boxing News, "Gavin is a work in progress but he’s improving at a rapid pace and I think he’ll show that against Parodi."

McDonnell needs to keep on improving too, though, crucially, he has solid foundations to build on.

He works relentlessly hard, both in the gym and in the ring. That is a family trait he shares with Jamie—they have nonstop motors and a willingness to sacrifice their bodies in the pursuit of success.

Against Leigh Wood, in February 2014, he overcame a shaky start against a sharp boxer to pick up the British strap, wearing down his opponent with relentless attacks before forcing a sixth-round stoppage. That was a rare knockout for the man from Doncaster, England. He needs to have a great stamina, considering he has only beaten four opponents inside the distance.

Parodi (37-2-1) is not a heavy hitter, though, judging by a career knockout ratio of 23 percent, so the numbers suggest an absorbing 12-rounder is on the cards.

Since Frampton became the first fighter to knock him out, the 28-year-old from Toulon has recorded back-to-back victories in low-key eight-rounders.

It will be a different story against McDonnell, who defeated Oleksandr Yegorov back in March in Sheffield to become the new European champion.

But, it should also be remembered that Gavin has only had 15 professional bouts, half as many as reigning WBA bantamweight champion Jamie.

The fight with Parodi was initially scheduled for Leeds, England, on September 5, but was moved back to allow Gavin to be in Jamie’s corner when he successfully defended his title against Tomoki Kameda in the same month.

Now, though, the focus is on the other twin.

Gavin gets to be centre stage as he looks to continue on an upward curve that he hopes will take him all the way to the summit.

He has seen firsthand what it took for his brother to get there; now he has to try and follow suit. What is certain is that he will not fail for a lack of effort.