LIMERICK’S Paddy ‘The Real Deal’ Donovan is set to fight Danny Ball of England in a 10-round bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Championship title on Saturday (November 25).
The 24-year-old Donovan will be showcased on the undercard of the undisputed World Super Lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron and Katie Taylor rematch, streaming on DAZN PPV live from 3Arena in Dublin.
A win would see Donovan take home the first title of his professional career
Also in action with Donovan is fellow Limerick fighter super-middleweight Jamie Morrissey (a one-time Pro Muai Thai Champion), of Raheen, who faces Emmet Brennan of Dublin.
“If I win this fight, I will win the WBA Continental title and be ranked number 15 by the WBA. I’d like to defend that title a few times and get a world title shot by the end of next year or early 2025,” said an ultra-confident Donovan, who came through the ranks at Our Lady of Lourdes Boxing Club.
He is trained by another Limerick great, former World Middleweight Champion Andy Lee, with background support from World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury.
“I think Paddy Donovan is one of the stars of the future,” Fury told the Irish Mirror. “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.
“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.”
Donovan is a slick southpaw with dynamite in both hands who represented Ireland at the 2016 World Youth Championships in Russia. As an amateur (65-12), Donovan was a two-time Irish National Champion and a Harringey Youth Gold medal winner in London (2017).
In 2019, Donovan turned pro, stopping Arturo Lopez in the opening round of their clash in Belfast. His last action was this past May, in which he knocked out Sam O’Maison in round eight.
On upcoming opponent Ball, Lee opined: “My opponent is a hard hitter who is the English champion. He’s won his last three fights in a row. I’ll open boxing, coming forward counter-punching, and then get the knock-out.”
