Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

The feet have got to be very quick. In and out. Otherwise, he's going to get caught. 

This Vargas is like a smaller version of Tommy Hearns, he's big for the weight, moves well and knows when to throw a big one. 

Very impressive. 

Boxing fans will know who Tommy Hearns is after that famous three round war he had with Marvin Hagler. Quite a compliment. 

McDonnell gets some success in the fifth with a punch to the body. Vargas slumps to the canvas, but the referee adjudges that McDonnell had pushed him to the floor and it is no knockdown.

But this is better from McDonnell, and for the first time in this contest he is having some joy.

Body shots, the short jab, they are all landing on Gavin McDonnell. But the Brit is still on his feet, still in there fighting and is not giving up.

Image source, Reuters

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Image source, .

Rey Vargas has shown us what we knew, he's classy and heavy handed. Upon entering the ring he looked supremely focused. His early forays have been enough to sit many here down,  their belief perhaps dented.

Almost flawless from the Mexican so far. Some stand to applaud as the bell sounds after three, I stress - some, not all. The travelling fighter sucking the life out of the crowd.

Not the start Gavin McDonnell was hoping for. At the moment he is looking outclassed. Vargas continues to dominate with a punch-perfect performance so far.

Ouch. Another bruising left hook rocks the ribs of McDonnell. He is going to certainly feel this one later. Although a nice world title belt around the waist would make him feel better.

We mentioned that Vargas had a warning earlier on for low blows, well he has a second warning. We are at the Hull Ice Arena and the Mexican could well be on thin ice, well, with the referee anyway.

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Vargas is two rounds up. No question. He dominated there. 

A cluster of punches to the head and body from Vargas forces McDonnell, not for the first time in this fight, back to the ropes. McDonnell has struggled to make any breach of the Mexican's defences so far.

You have to say, the Mexican has probably taken both rounds so far. Already an uphill battle for McDonnell, but one punch always changes things.

Image source, Reuters

Any time McDonnell lands there is a loud roar from the home fans, with brother Jamie bouncing around on the sidelines living every punch.

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

That first round just shows you what a hard job McDonnell has in this fight. 

Vargas has got fast hands and big punches. It's a difficult job for McDonnell but he's got to keep the movement going. 

The longer this fight goes. The better chance he has. 

We said it was going to be tough, and the first round has done nothing to dispel that theory. Vargas takes the opening round. Busy throughout with good, crunching left hooks to the body, this is a challenge, the biggest challenge of McDonnell's life.

It is a vacant title and Victor Loughlin is the referee.

Half of Vargas' 28 fights have ended inside the opening three rounds. The Mexican makes a bright start as he looks to control the centre of the ring to push the Brit back.

One of Vargas' punches is a bit too low for the referee's liking and earns the guest a word in his ear. But the aggression is coming from the Mexican.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Let's do this. The arena upstanding as the fighters broke from the referee's instruction.

Image source, .

Richie Woodhall
Former world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

He's looking extremely confident. One significant thing is Gavin is usually taller than his opponents but Vargas is the taller man in this fight. A big puncher too. 

Vargas looks lean and mean and really confident he can silence the crowd here in Hull.

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Image source, BBC Sport

Someone needs to calm this pair down. Both men have not stopped bouncing on the spot.

Flags, anthems, you can feel this mass of noise and spirit almost pushing Gavin McDonnell from his corner. 

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Image source, BBC Sport

I'll say this. I do hope these fighters have warmed up thoroughly and bothered putting socks on.

The ring sits on top of some thin MDF boards which are under the feet of everyone outside the ropes. Remember, they cover an ice rink. If I had a pound for every person I've heard say their "feet are cold" I'd be at least half way to Floyd Mayweather's net worth.

This is no easy task by any means for Gavin McDonnell. 

McDonnell is unbeaten in 18 fights but his Mexican opposite Rey Vargas has a reputation for packing a cast iron punch with 22 knockouts in 28 fights. 

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the Hull Arena can do 'strange things to a man' so he will be feeling confident in the home advantage he secured for the Doncaster fighter as it is Vargas' first time crossing the Atlantic. 

Image source, Getty Images

Luke Reddy
BBC Sport boxing reporter in Hull

Image source, BBC Sport

This is only the third time Rey Vargas has fought outside of his home country of Mexico, having twice appeared in the US.

On his UK bow he's not lucky enough to get his image on the front of the programme.

Make no mistake, the 26-year-old is a big, big favourite here. 

In his corner will be his dad and Iganacio Beristain, 77. Beristain has trained the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Juan Manuel Marquez to world titles. I doubt he'd waste his time if he didn't think Vargas was mustard.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, BBC Sport

Remember you can also stay across the BBC Sport Twitter and Instagram pages tonight for added colour from tonight's action. 

BBC Radio 5 live are live now. Mike Costello is commentating, with former world champion Richie Woodhall offering analysis. 

And here comes Gavin McDonnell. This is his moment. This is the moment he has been dreaming of. Will he take his chance?

He looks focused and ready.