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Jamie McDonnell faces Darwin Zamora after Vusi Malinga withdraws through injury

Darwin Zamora is booked as a late replacement to take on Jamie McDonnell in Saturday's IBF title eliminator after Vusi Malinga withdraws through injury.

Doncaster bantamweight Jamie McDonnell has had his opponent in Saturday's IBF title eliminator changed at six days' notice.

McDonell was scheduled to meet former world title challenger Vusi Malinga in Sheffield but the South African has been forced to withdraw due to an injury sustained in sparring.

Nicaraguan contender Darwin Zamora has stepped in at short notice to take on McDonnell at the Motorpoint Arena.

Zamora is the current WBA Fedecentro super flyweight champion, possessing a modest record of 21 wins from his 28 contests.

McDonnell admitted that while the late change of opponent is not ideal, he is relieved that his new foe is a traditional southpaw.

The 26-year-old said: "Malinga is a southpaw and Zamora is a southpaw. For this camp I had trained for a southpaw and, even though it wouldn't have been a problem to get an orthodox opponent, a southpaw is what we have been working towards.

"I have been sparring with lots of southpaw lads from the gym in preparation. I enjoyed some time off but as soon as I got the call about this fight I pulled my finger out and knuckled down."

McDonnell's fight is chief support on a bill headlined by Kell Brook's final world title eliminator against Argentine Hector Saldivia.

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