Paddy Donovan considering big move to the pros
It is understood that Limerick welterweight Paddy Donovan is strongly considering an early move to the pros and is in talks with a number of suitors.
The 20-year-old southpaw talent finished runner-up at the National Elite Senior Championships in February to reigning champ Kieran Molloy and lost out in Last 16 of the European Under-22 Championships last month to Russian home favourite Vakhid Abbasov – two decisions he objected to and Donovan now looks set to make the big move to the pros.
Donovan, who won everything at national level as a teenager as well as a World Junior silver medal, has been on the radar for promoters for some time now.
READ: What now for ‘the biggest star to come out of Ireland for the future’?
Limerick’s former middleweight world champ Andy Lee revealed, during TG4’s Elite Senior finals broadcast, that “I’ve been contacted about him, there’s a lot of people in the professional world who know him, know his name. His name’s been ringing out for many years because he’s won everything underage.”
“I’ve already been contacted in the build-up to this fight about him by several guys in America and England about him. They want to know about him, they want to get my opinion about him, and I’ve been singing his praises.”
“He’ll be offered a lot of money to turn professional and, had he got the right decision tonight he might have stayed for the Olympics.”
Lee is believed to be working with Donovan as the OLOL graduate considers his next move
The situation is quite widely known in Limerick boxing circles and was alluded to recently by Treaty City sports presenter Luke Liddy.
One of Limerick’s top amateur boxers is currently fielding offers from some renound promoters with a view to possibly turning pro.
He has a very experienced former pro in his corner for negotiations.
Possibly some big news to come on this in the coming weeks.
— Luke Liddy (@LOLIDDY2489) April 8, 2019
Donovan has been described by Mick Conlan as a Tokyo Olympic gold medal hope and, following his loss in the Elite Senior final, the stylish southpaw pledged that he would compete for Ireland at the 2020 Games.
However, following his defeat at the Euro U22s and with his progress dependant on Molloy NOT qualifying for the Olympics this year, the pros no doubt appeal.
Of course, nothing has been confirmed as of yet but developments are expected in the coming weeks.
