Top Rank signs Irish amateur standout Paddy Donovan

Top Rank’s collection of developing talented grew today with the addition of 20-year-old amateur star Paddy Donovan.

The Limerick native is a 13-time Irish champion and took silver at the 2015 AIBA junior world championships, where he competed at 132 pounds. He’ll start his pro career at 147 pounds under the tutelage of former middleweight champion Andy Lee, who will serve as his trainer and manager. Irish Boxing claims that his debut will take place on the August 3rd Michael Conlan-Vladimir Nikitin card, though it “remains to be confirmed.”

Makes too much sense not to happen, if you ask me.

Despite the 2020 Olympics coming up, a pair of recent narrow decision defeats “may have inspired” Donovan to try his hand as a professional.

The 20-year-old southpaw talent finished runner-up at the National Elite Senior Championships in February to reigning champ Kieran Molloy and lost out in Last 16 of the European Under-22 Championships last month to Russian home favourite Vakhid Abbasov – two decisions he objected to and two decisions that may have inspired the move into the paid ranks.

Here’s a quick look at him from last November, which Irish Boxing was courteous enough to link in the article up there:

He looks to be a skilled, entertaining young talent. Certainly worth keeping an eye on.