Spanish inquisition – Donovan predicts his toughest test to date
Eric Donvan [10(6)-0] believes the fact ‘He Who Dares’ opponent Cristian Montilla [9(5)-4(3)-1]]drew with former EBU European champion Dennis Ceylan makes the Spaniard the toughest test of his career to date.
The former Spanish champion drew with the Dane in Germany – which some would argue suggests he did enough to win – and that performance allows the Irish featherweight champ to grant his next opponent ‘best to date’ status.
However, ‘Lillywhite Lightening’ is only to happy for that to be the case, as it shows progression and allows him to take another positive step toward that coveted European title shot.
The 33-year-old also warns he is different prospect to Ceylan – who did get knock out revenge and challenged for the European title, this time unsuccessfully in his last fight -and is adamant there will be no slip up.
“I’m happy with the opponent and looking forward to a great fight,” the Kenneth Egan trained fighter told Irish-boxing.com.
“Probably,” he adds when asked with regard to this being his toughest test, “But I think that’s down to his draw with Ceylan, which is his standout performance and to be fair wasn’t a bad one. I’ll obviously present a different challenge than Ceylan, I see the faults and I’ll exploit them.”
In truth a skills operator of the calibre of the Kildare native would be expected to beat the fighter, who will man the away corner at the Devenish on October 25.
Yet still the Las Palmas native, who holds a win over Celtic Clash 9 bill topper Iago Barros, holds a record that suggests he has the ability to ask questions – and the Boxing Ireland feather seems aware of that.
“I think he has a some quality, he certainly knows how to handle himself. He has a good KO ratio too and a decent right hand.”
There has been talk of continental tilts for Donovan of late. In fact he was close to fighting reigning EU title holder and current Golden Contract contestant Carlos Ramos – the Athy fighter agreed to a late notice fight only for the Spaniard’s team to go a different route.
However, when potential European honours are raised he claims he is happy just to be stepping up the ladder as he waits for his chance.
“I just want to keep raising the bar and testing myself against good fighters,” he adds before claiming Spanish opposition has nothing to do with the fact he the EU and EBU European titles are held by Spanish fighters.
“Not really, but you could say I’ve had my fair share of Spaniard’s alright.”
Donvan will be joined on the ‘He Who Dares’ October 25 card by the likes of Cathy McAleer, who fights for the Commonwealth title, as interesting clash between Craig O’Brien and Owen Jobburn, Darren O’Neill’s debut, Paul Hyland Jr, Cillian Reardon, Ruadhan Farrell, Paddy Nevin and more.
