Five time Irish champ and Stadium favourite turns pro on Hatton show

Five time Irish champion Eric Donovan has finally ditched the vest and will fight for pay for the first time on June 25.

The classy southpaw, who won his Senior titles between 2004 and 2011, will debut on the FS Promotions show run in association with Ricky Hatton.

There were murmurs of late that the National Stadium favourite was considering turning over, but the St Micheal’s Athy puncher has always been strongly associated with the amateur game and has recently impressed in his role as an RTÉ pundit.

However, Irish-boxing.com have been told the former WSB participant, who was part of the Astana Arlans team which won the competition in 2013, will compete in a pro ring on a show that gets increasingly exciting by the day.

Donovan had previously said he felt he could compete at Irish title level in his debut, but a four rounder in a venue he is well used to, the National Stadium awaits the respected operator.

Donovan’s long term ambitions are yet to be revealed, but he is certainly a high profile addition to the card and the pro scene. Considering his experience, the 31 year old could also be fast tracked.