Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan, the International Boxing Federation’s ([BF] #1 welterweight contender, isn’t concerned about risking his mandatory challenger position when he faces veteran Tyrone “The Mighty Celt” McKenna [25-6-1, 8 KOs] on a historic card at Croke Park in Dublin on Sept. 5. Headlining the show billed “Once Upon a Time,” is women’s prizefighting icon Katie Taylor in her farewell fight.
More than 80,000 fans are expected to pack Croke Park for the first professional boxing event there since Muhammad Ali knocked out Al “Blue” Lewis in the 11th round of their heavyweight scrap 54 years ago.
It’s a massive occasion that the Limerick-based Donovan [15-2-1, 11 KOs], who’s co-managed by Manhattan attorney Keith Sullivan and former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who doubles as head trainer. The opportunity was so enticing that Donovan could not pass up fighting the Belfast man McKenna even at the risk of putting an imminent crack at IBF 147-pound title currently held by Australian Laim Paro in jeopardy.
“Some may say it’s a risky fight for me -- being ranked #1 by the IBF,” said Donovan. “But I’m a hungry fighter and I want to stay active. That’s why I train a lot. I’ve dedicated my life to boxing and when you do that the only thing you want to do is fight. Right now, Paro hasn’t decided what’s next for him. While I wait on Paro’s decision, I want to keep active and fighting Tyrone McKenna in front of 80,000 fans sounds splendid.
“It feels great to be #1 again in the IBF. My two fights with Lewis Crocker were crackers and very controversial, and two hard fights in his backyard. I then worked very hard in the gym and took on a very tough Karen Chukhadzhian, from Ukraine, who is one of the best welterweights in the world. I fought him in his backyard as well, in Germany, scored two knockdowns and I won the fight quite comfortably in our title eliminator. I earned the #1 ranking the hard way.
“This isn’t over! We’re going to continue this story and I will become champion of the world. After the incredible journey I’ve had over the last couple of years, it’ll be a beautiful way to top it off by becoming world champion.”
After his two controversial losses to Crocker, in which he was disqualified in the first encounter and lost a split decision in the second, Donovan credits his team, especially Lee and Sullivan, for getting him back on the verge of fighting for another world title.
“It’s been an honor training with Andy Lee over the years and getting to know him on a personal basis,” Donovan said. “Andy has helped me so much more than I can explain. He’s been like a father figure to me. I started my career with Andy when I was 19 and I will finish my career with Andy; he’s the first and will be the last for me. It takes many years for a coach to understand the fighter, but it also takes many years for a fighter to understand the coach. Without Andy, I wouldn’t be fighting and he has helped me so much in more ways than one.
“And I don’t want to forget my manager, Keith Sullivan, for all his legal work that he did after the first and then the second fight with Crocker to got me in position for a world title eliminator after two defeats,” the fighter continued. “There is no other manager in boxing who has done what he’s done for me. Keith is one of the best boxing managers in the world, if not the best, and I’m so happy to have met Keith. He came into my life at the perfect time and he has changed it for the better, not just for his legal or managerial work, but on a personal level as a friend. He has looked into my personal life and helped me along the way to make me a better person. I can’t thank him enough for that.”
“Anytime you have a fighter in the number one spot and they are on the brink of reaching the promised land of becoming a world champion,” said Sullivan. “It’s a tremendous risk to take any other fight. Paddy insisted he wanted an All-Irish crack-up in Croke Park before 80,000. He wouldn't accept any advice to the contrary. For him, risking the title shot was worth it because this was all about Irish boxing legacy and giving the Irish fans a great entertaining night of boxing in their homeland. As always, his professionalism and commitment to the sport and fans impress me.”
Donovan vs. McKenna is the lone all-Irish bout on the main card, which will be streamed live worldwide on DAZN.
