Former WBO World middleweight champion Andy Lee was done with boxing – but then he saw Paddy Donovan between the ropes.
Donovan will ink a promotional deal with Top Rank USA over the next 24 hours and Lee believes he can become Limerick’s second World champion.
Lee, Ireland’s only boxer at Athens 2004, will manage and coach the 20-year-old in the paid ranks.
And he said of his fellow Limerick southpaw: “I don’t want to be going overboard but Paddy is a very rare talent.
“I had no intention of getting back involved in boxing, no desire, but then Paddy came along.
“He has all the ingredients to become a world champion. He has things you can’t teach.
“He has punching power, the character, the right attitude and he also has heart and tremendous skill.
“Just the prospect of being involved with him is a new chapter for me and I fully believe he has the talent to go all the way.”
Donovan was expected to have his first paid outing on the Michael Conlan versus Vladimir Nikitin undercard in Belfast on August 3.
But Lee has other ideas, adding: “It could be September or October. Either way, it will be before the end of the year.
“He’ll be promoted by Top Rank, who are the best in the business. They have a proven track record of taking young amateurs and turning them into superstars and champions.
“They’ve promoted De La Hoya, Mayweather, Lomachencko, Terence Crawford, the list goes on and on. It’s very exciting.”
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