‘We couldn’t be with a better company’ – Lee believes Donovan and Top Rank are perfect match

It’s the perfect marriage, suggests Andy Lee.

A young talented amateur star and a promotional company with a history of building top amateurs into professional world champions.

The former world middleweight champion is adamant Paddy Donovan couldn’t be with a better company than Top Rank.

Lee has become trainer and manager for his fellow Limerick man and played a massive part in securing the southpaw a deal with veteran promoter Bob Arum.

There has been suggestions that a host of promotional companies were interested in the slick young operator, but the fighter turned coach believes Top Rank and his new charge are the perfect match.

Top Rank, who have worked with some of the sports most famous participants such as  Muhammad Ali, Roberto Durán, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Marvin Hagler, Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Ray Leonard, have become noted for helping standout amateur talent achieve ultimate pro success in recent years.

From the 2012 Olympics they signed Zou Shiming, Ryota Murata, Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Oleksandr Usyk and of course Vasyl Lomachenko – all of which have gone on to win world titles.

From Rio Michael Conlan and Shakur Stevenson were two of their high profile picks and both are unbeaten and making strides toward major title tilts – with champion Robeisy Ramirez recently following them.

Donovan is not an Olympian and before last week may not have been know to many outside of the hardcore boxing fan, but his potential is undeniable- and despite turning over before Tokyo 2020 his amateur CV is impressive.

Donovan, whose slick southpaw style has always earned him admirers, is a 13 time Irish champion and a World Junior medal winner.

That natural talent and the power and influence of Top Rank is the perfect concoction for success believes someone who knows a thing or two about transitioning from a standout amateur to world champion, Lee.

“Paddy is a special talent. He has all the skills and character to become a world champion. Top Rank’s record of taking amateur boxers and guiding them into world champions is second to none. We couldn’t be with a better company,” said the Limerick man’s trainer and manager.