WHILE Katie Taylor – who turned the tables on Chantelle Cameron to be crowned unified Super Lightweight Champion – was the main headline grabber at the 3Arena, Limerick’s own Paddy ‘The Real Deal’ Donovan contributed handsomely to one of the biggest nights in Irish Boxing history.
On the undercard, Donovan defeated England’s Danny Ball for the WBA Continental Welterweight belt.
Southpaw Donovan (24) earned victory through a fourth-round stoppage of an opponent who had lost just one of his 14 previous fights as a professional.
In a live update, irish-boxing.com described the closing moments: “It’s only going one way and a huge left hand sends Ball down and the visitor does well to beat the count. Donovan throws dozens of shots upstairs but it is a sneaky rib-breaker that puts Ball down again, writhing in pain, and the towel is thrown in. TKO (technical knock out) Paddy Donovan.”
Donovan, trained by Andy Lee of Castleconnell, is now unbeaten in 12 starts in the professional ranks.
“Superstars are made on the big stage and Ireland has a new superstar in Paddy Donovan. I truly believe that,” declared promoter Eddie Hearn following the bout.
Added trainer Lee: “I first saw him as an amateur and I was blown away. That’s just a taste of what he can do. There’s a lot more to come from him. We can bring Matchroom (promotions) to Limerick with this guy for a world title fight.”
Earlier on the card, our own James Morrissey surrendered his BUI Celtic Light Heavyweight title when unexpectedly stopped by Dubliner Emmet Brennan in the final round.
Still, Morrissey, who has big respect across the sport, will no doubt be back.
Such is the huge upsurge in boxing across Limerick that many clubs are oversubscribed with long waiting lists.
