Red Corner: Phelan will “smash up” Donovan – but not just yet

Give Allan Phelan [8(5)-2(1)-1]six months and he will ‘smash up’ Eric Donovan, according to Red Corner’s Jonathan Graham.

After victories for both on the ‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising’ card last Saturday night Boxing Ireland’s Leonard Gunning, who manages former amateur standout Donovan [5(3)-0], revealed he would like to make the clash for the Celtic Clash 3 card which looks set to take place in September.

The Sligo manager felt there was strong interest from both sides and revealed an offer would be make in the coming weeks. However, it seems Donovan’s fellow Kildare man Phelan won’t be taking the clash as early as this Autumn.

Team Phelan believe their fighter would be best served banking some more experience considering he is just two fights back after a 27 month lay off.

That doesn’t mean they don’t think a fully firing Phelan isn’t capable of defeating the undefeated RTÉ pundit.

“Give it six months and Allan Phelan will smash up Eric Donovan,” Graham boldly predicted.

“Allan isn’t here to build up Eric, this is not about building Eric it’s about giving Allan the best chance to win that fight. Give him the chance to get the rounds in and get back to his best then that fight can be made and watch Allan beats Eric.”

“We were offered a fight with [Michael] Gomez Jr for Allan before but we knocked it back, it wasn’t the right time and it’s not the right time to fight Donovan.”

Phelan’s coach Paschal Collins, who was also speaking at an eventful press conference yesterday for Red Corner’s June 24th card which is topped by Luke Keeler and Darren Cruise in Irish title fight action, and also features the Newbridge feather, was a little more pragmatic when suggesting the timing wasn’t ready for that proposed Irish title fight.

“Allan’s management and I spoke recently. We have a plan for him. Allan fought in the States and isn’t long back, he was out for a long time and realistically is learning again.”

“Right now Eric is a superior level fighter, a southpaw and a very experienced amateur. We can build toward that fight, but we don’t necessarily need or want it now.”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography