RENDALL MUNROE MOVES DOWN TO BANTAMWEIGHT

RENDALL MUNROE is dropping down a weight division to bantamweight and set his immediate sights on European champion Jamie McDonnell.

The former European and Commonwealth super-bantamweight champion will have his first fight in the 118lb division in early February.

Southpaw Munroe, 31, said: “I was making 8st 10b comfortable and getting down to the new weight will not be difficult.

“My first bantamweight fight will be a 10-rounder and then I am looking straight for the European title and then meeting one of the world champions.

“I have sparred with McDonnell a few times and no disrespect to him, but I think I have his measure.”

Munroe has won 23 of his 25 fights and last year went the distance against WBC super-bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka.

The Leicester boxing is switching divisions despite the lure of big money super-bantamweight matches against Carl Frampton and British champion Scott Quigg – his Hatton Promotions stablemate.

Munroe is also the number one challenger for his old European title, currently held by Kiko Martinez – the Spaniard he has defeated twice.

He added: “I am giving up a lot, but I also have a lot to gain by moving down to bantamweight.

“Good luck to Carl and Scott in that division and I am sure they will meet down the line in what will be a brilliant super-bantamweight fight.”

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