DUBLIN — On November 25, Paddy Donovan will compete for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Championship in a 10-round battle against English welterweight champion Danny Ball (13-1-1, 6 KOs) at the 3Arena in Dublin.
Donovan(11-0,8KOs) is a twenty-four-year-old boxer from Limerick, Ireland. He now trains in Dublin under Lee’s supervision, and their collaboration has been nothing short of amazing.
“I am a welterweight and don’t have problems making weight. I feel brilliant, strong and I believe I’ll be world champion. Right now, I’m the biggest prospect in Ireland,” said Donovan in media reports.
“It’s amazing how Irish fighters are such big attractions. Fans love the style of Irish boxing. We’re known as sluggers, but it’s starting to change into a more boxer-puncher style today, because we have some great amateur coaches in Ireland,” he added.
Donovan, receives training in Dublin from Andy Lee, the former WBO World Middleweight Champion (35-3-1, 24 KOs), whose cousin, Tyson Fury, is the current World Boxing Council (WBA) World Heavyweight Champion and an undefeated boxer (34-0-1, 24 KOs).
“I first met Paddy when he was a really young kid. He’s so talented and I see that every day I train him. He’s confident and something very special. He is one of the most talented boxers in the world,” said Lee.
“I think Paddy Donovan is one of the stars of the future. He’s definitely the biggest prospect in Irish boxing at the moment. He’s a very, very talented young fighter and he’s had a lot of amateur experience,” said Fury in media reports.
“He can punch hard, and he has got the boxing IQ, He’s had great tutelage with my cousin, Andy Lee. I think he’s going all the way, Paddy!” he added.
“It meant so much to me when Tyson said that I’m going to be a world champion. They call him ‘The Gypsy King’ and in Ireland, they call me “The Gypsy Prince,” said Donovan.
Donovan has dedicated his battle to Pieta, an Irish charity that works to prevent suicide. He has a deep passion for this topic because he has lost family members to suicide. Together with Lee, they’re trying to spread awareness and provide support by using the boxing stage.
