Lack of willing foes – but Eric Donovan determined to get Irish title shot this Summer

Eric Donovan hopes to buckle the Irish title around his waist before Summer is out.

‘Lillywhite Lightening’ has impressed since turning over less than two years ago and has been vocal about his title ambitions.

The BUI Celtic title was won in fight number six and the Irish title is next on the agenda for the skilled Kildare featherweight.

Donovan admitted it was difficult to find willing opponents around the weight, but seems confident he will be involved in a green strap dust-up this year.

“Leonard [Gunning, manager] said he is going to try and get me out for April and then we are going to look for an Irish title in the Summer,” Donovan told Irish-Boxing.com.

The 32-year-old would love to be able to say he was the best in Ireland at both amateur and professional level, but reveals that isn’t the only reason he wants the BUI belt.

“I want the Irish title fight because to be able to say you were professional and amateur Irish champion for so many years would be great, but that isn’t the only reason I want it.”

“Winning the Irish title puts me in the top 15 in the European rankings and that is where I want to be. I want to be in with a shot.”

“Getting an opponent is hard at the moment, but we are working hard on that and hopefully there will be a few takers around the Summer.”

Donavan was speaking after he extended his unbeaten run with a victory in Waterford earlier this month and was beyond complimentary when it came to the crowd.

In fact such was the reception during a rare fight night outside Dublin or Belfast that the Athy man must have been dreaming of bringing back to Kildare.

“It was magic. I loved it. There was a part of me that wanted to stay in the ring, I didn’t want to get out. It was an atmosphere that was up there with the best I have boxed in my whole career and I boxed in some good ones. The WSB final in front of 10,000 and Senior final nights.”

“Here it was a very intimate show and Neil Power done a fabulous job. It will be the first of many down here. Every single person out there was roaring. I brought 200 people but I know for a fact the whole house was shouting for me and that is just brilliant.”

“Everyone got in together and that is what I crave that carnival atmosphere.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)