Paddy Donovan praises fellow young prospect ahead of third fight for both

Paddy Donovan [2(1)-0] is full of praise for fellow pro newbie, Pierce O’Leary [2-0] as the pair share another fight card this weekend.

The popular Dublin prospect and the lauded Limerick talent fight on the same date and in the same arena for the third time on Friday night.

The much talked about pair made relatively high profile debut’s on a #MTKFightNight back on October 11 before sharing a Glasgow card just over 30 days later.

The 19 and 20 year-old now travel to Bolton this weekend to fight and will trade leather at the Bolton White Hotel.

Considering they are two young talents vying to catch the eye early on some may believe there could be some competitive tension between the pair, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

The Andy Lee trained Top Rank fighter is a fan of his former standout underage amateur graduate.

“He is a brilliant guy, and a class fighter which he proved in the amateurs and his pedigree speaks for its self,” Donovan told Irish-boxing.com.

“He is a power puncher and is very dangerous and he will just keep on improving as he goes on and I’m sure he will become a world champion,” Donovan added.

While they will have shared their first three fight dates together the prospects will go prospecting for a fourth win – provided both come through Friday unscathed – on different cards.

O’Leary, who faces the ever game Alex Bazza this weekend, will fight at the Ulster Hall on February 1, while ‘The Real Deal’ has confirmed a fight for St Patrick’s Day in New York on the undercard of Michael Conlan.

“That is 100% confirmed, Its an honor to be on Conlan’s undercard and coming up alongside him he was the dominant force in the senior level and I looked up to him.

“I’ve sparred him before and obviously I’m a bit too big for him at the moment, but it’s great to be on one of his cards”

The MTK managed fighter is moving very quickly after turning pro in the late summer and signing with Bob Arum and his famous Top Rank promotions.

Since turning the pro the former amateur standout is quickly developing a name as one to watch out for.

A standout KO victory on his debut in Belfast only added fuel to the fire and made a lot sit up and take note.

He returned earlier than expected less than a month later and cruised in a brilliant boxing display in Scotland.

The exciting prospect told us about his experience thus far in the pro ranks  “it’s going brilliantly I’ve had two fights one stoppage and one that went the distance where I got a good six rounds under my belt and I’m always improving and enjoying every moment.”

The ‘Real Deal’ also told us “I would like to have a crack at a world title by 23,24 maybe.”

“I’m 20 now so a couple of years down the line If I’m getting better and my opponents are getting better then it could be time very soon.”