Riding high on his stunning knockout victory over England’s welterweight champ Danny Ball (13-2-1, 6 KOs), Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (12-0, 9 KOs) has skyrocketed in fame. He grabbed the spotlight at the DAZN pay-per-view event, which featured the much-talked-about rematch between Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron. This epic showdown was streamed live from Dublin’s 3Arena.
The 24-year-old Donovan, a magnet for fight fans, dazzled the sold-out crowd with his electrifying boxing style. Showcasing unmatched hand and foot speed, along with knockout power, he turned up the heat in the third round. In the fourth, he delivered a show-stopping performance. Living up to his moniker and the pre-fight excitement, Donovan landed a thunderous left on Ball, shaking him to his core. Although Ball stood his ground for a while, Donovan cornered him and unleashed an almost 50-punch onslaught, culminating in a brutal body shot. Ball’s team wisely conceded before the count even began.
Reflecting on that moment, Donovan said, “I looked over at Andy [Lee, his head trainer] in the fourth, and he signaled to go for it, and I did just that! The pressure was on, especially fighting in Ireland with all the expectations. I handled it brilliantly. It was a dream fight, showcasing my talent and maturity at 24. The fight played out just as we trained for, and the knockout in the fourth was the cherry on top. My footwork was on point, I set up my shots well, and I came out unscathed. This was definitely my best performance to date.”
In the post-fight press conference, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn hailed Donovan as Ireland’s new boxing sensation. He expressed a keen interest in organizing a headline fight in Donovan’s hometown, Limerick.
Hearn exclaimed, “Superstars are born on the big stage, and Ireland has found one in Paddy Donovan. He’s got the flair, the skills, and the charm. He’s now ready for championship fights, and everyone loved watching him tonight.”
Donovan shared his excitement about the potential fight in Limerick, noting it could be the city’s biggest boxing event in over a decade. He also mentioned the possibility of a fight in New York City, possibly aligning with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at Madison Square Garden.
Andy Lee, Donovan’s chief second and co-manager alongside New York attorney Keith Sullivan, commented on the significance of Donovan’s victory. Sullivan added that while the win was monumental, their focus is already shifting to the next fight, weighing options in Limerick and New York City.
Beyond the glory and fame, Donovan remains grounded and dedicated to giving back, especially to Irish youth. “I owe a lot to those who supported me and kept me on the right path,” Donovan shared. He aims to inspire the next generation, just as he was inspired by meeting Irish boxers like Andy Lee.
Donovan’s recent fight was dedicated to Pieta, a suicide prevention charity. Having lost two relatives to suicide, he’s deeply committed to using his platform to raise awareness about mental health issues and suicide prevention. “It’s more than boxing for me; it’s about helping those struggling with mental health and suicidal thoughts. If my efforts can change even one life, I consider my mission accomplished,” Donovan concluded.