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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Eric Donovan coy on IABA High-performance director role vacancy

Newly crowned EU Super-featherweight champion Eric Donovan hasn't ruled out taking on the role of IABA High-performance director in the near future.

The 37-year-old is currently considering his future after capturing the Super-featherweight title in an entertaining scrap with Khalil El Hadri at the Europa Hotel in Belfast last month. The veteran fighter has been a professional since 2016 and has accrued an excellent professional record of 16 wins and just two defeats.

Both defeats came in high-profile fights with top-class opponents in the UK. And while interest in 'Lilywhite' is at an all-time high, the Athy born fighter, whose wife is due to give birth soon, has many things to consider before he even thinks of returning to the ring.

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Speaking to Claire Byrne on RTE Radio about his future, Donovan said, "My wife and I are expecting a baby at the end of this week and I just want to enjoy this time. I want to welcome our baby boy or girl into the world as European champion.

"We'll embrace these moments and I'll make my decision on a boxing career in a couple of weeks' time."

The role of IABA High-performance director has been absent since Bernard Dunne left the position earlier this year. Attempts to fill the position have been done so in vain to this point.

Donovan would certainly be a popular choice for the role. The veteran boxer is a highly decorated amateur who represented Ireland with distinction on numerous occasions, including when he won bronze at the European Championship in Moscow twelve years ago.

When asked about the job, Donovan said, "My coach put out a post nominating me for the job. It got a lot of traction and interest. It's a very big job and an important job. Whoever gets it will be very lucky to get it."

"I hope the right person lands that position because boxing needs it and boxing deserves it. It's an opportunity to work with the best boxers and coaches in Ireland. We are an incredible boxing country.

"Am I interested? I'm going to make a decision on my career in the next few weeks. I don't want to confirm or deny my interest in the position.

"I will say this – it'll be a great position for someone to have and I think I'll always be involved in boxing in some regard."

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