Andy Lee outlines Paddy Donovan title plans – ‘Real Deal’ to fight for first career title in his next fight

Andy Lee wants Paddy Donovan [6(4)-0] to fight for the WBC world youth title in his next outing.

The Top Rank youngster cemented his standout prospect status with impressive step-up wins over Jumaane Camero and Siar Ozguk in his last two fights – and now it seems fellow Limerick man, Lee wants him to have something tangible to show for the bright start.

A WBC world youth title fight is in the pipeline. Considering you have to be under-23 to fight for the title and not many young prospects meet in the ring, ‘The Real Deal’ most likely won’t face the kind of test the likes of Camero in particular brought, but it will represent a move up to eight rounds for the exciting talent.

It also provides a ranking boost and if sold for what it is and not overly hyped brings fans recognition.

The last holder of the light welterweight version of the strap Luis Alberto Hernández Ramos wouldn’t be a bad name to follow. The Mexican claimed the title his 19th fight and did so by knocking out 18-0 Diego Santiago Sanchez in Dallas before going on to win Continental honours.

It’s a strap Lee wants next for Donovan and one the fighter himself has highlighted as a 2021 goal. However, whether or not it comes next or a little later in the year is down to two things. Lee, who is currently in camp training Joseph Parker in England, wants to first assess where his charges fitness levels are post a hand injury and would prefer some lead-in time to a step up in rounds.

“I’ll assess his fitness when he comes back and how long we have to train before he actually gets a fight locked in but will be stepping up to eight rounds and I would like for him to fight for the WBC youth title,” Lee told Boxing Social in a wide-ranging interview.

“I think it’s vacant now. That is something we would like to get just as a nice little trinket and then just keep progressing. He has only had five fights but he is already fought at a good level. He is only young, he still has a lot to learn yet.”