Scot to be good – Donovan ready to show Glasgow fans what the hype is about

Paddy Donovan [1(1)-0] is ready to spread the ‘Real Deal’ gospel in Scotland this weekend.

The Limerick southpaw is just one fight into his pro career, but a standout underage innings, his easy on the eye appearance both in and out of the ring, as well as his link up with former WBO middleweight champion of the world Andy Lee have garnered him the kind of attention most early day prospects can only dream of.

So confident is the OLOL graduate that he has the talent to succeed, that he seems to believe spreading the word and becoming a known name is as important as learning at this stage of his career.

The Top Rank fighter’s knockout debut win in Belfast certainly went a long way to increasing his social media following and exposing him to new fans. It was the ideal start and a start he wants to build on. Now he is looking to increase the fan base in Scotland this weekend.

Donovan appears on the latest #MTKFightNight in Glasgow and is ready to show fight followers there what the hype is about.

“The profile is building,” he told Irish-boxing.com.

“The more places I go the more people are starting to recognize me and that’s the aim. I am spreading my talent to Scotland next and showcase my boxing skills over there.”

“I boxed in Scotland in the amateurs and I really liked it. It’s a brilliant place to box and I am sure the crowd will be electric on the night and I can’t wait to show them my boxing skills.”

Another first round knockout would certainly make people sit up and take note, particularly as Donovan is down to fight Danny Mendoza [6(4)-5(0)], a tough Nicaraguan who has yet to be stopped and took Gary Cully six rounds last time out.

However, the 20-year-old is hopeful of some stamina building stanza’s when he fights for a second time as a pro.

The Top Rank fighter has never been past three, as he has just graduated from the amateurs, he also hasn’t boxed more than 1 minute as a pro.

While his manager and coach, Lee, very much believes in the currency of the knockout, Donovan is hopeful he will get chance to clock a round or two in Scotland.

“I have never been past three ever. This fella I am fighting, he boxed Gary Cully in Belfast and that went six rounds. He is tough, he has never been put down or never been hurt, but I think he will bring the best out of me. It will be good to get the few rounds in, I haven’t gone a round as a pro yet so the aim is to get a few rounds in.”

Donovan didn’t get the chance to reflect on his debut victory during a short break. He was straight back in the gym where he has been working alongside as well as sparring middleweight Jason Quigley.

“I have been in shape since the last fight. Training was going good for the first fight and it’s continued for the second one. I kept training, kept a flow and kept sparring going, so it’s been good,” he adds before responding to questions with regard the sparring.

“It’s going well. It’s good sparring. He is a bit bigger than me, but it’s very competitive and we are good match for each other.”

Interestingly the Andy Lee mentored fighter weighed in at championships weight for his debut, tipping the scales at 147lbs despite having some weight leeway. Commenting on that he noted how “I was allowed a couple of pounds but Andy and myself decided it would be good to make that weight. I made it comfortably. We did everything right in training, prepared well, ate good meals and everything came right for the fight,” he continues before revealing Top Rank were impressed with his debut.

“They have been on to Andy and they were very impressed with me and they can’t wait to get me out there in March or maybe beforehand. Everything is going good.”

Donovan isn’t quite being fast tracked, but Top Rank and Lee seem intent on keeping him busy. He is already penciled in for the massive Michael Conlan New York St Patrick’s Day bill – and it seems he may squeeze one or two more in before hand.

“To be honest I am trying to get one fight before Christmas, me and Andy spoke yesterday about it, if not it doesn’t matter we will probably fight at the end of January and then March Paddy’s Day.”