Eric Donovan closing in on Kildare homecoming

Considering how prominent he has been on big amateur fight nights over the last decade or so, the National Stadium could be deemed Eric Donovan‘s fight home.

The famous South Circular Road venue has continued to be a happy abode for the talented 31 year old since he ditched the vest and started a pro assault. The Kildare favourite is three from three in the venue after he defeated Stefan Nicolae on Red Corner’s Unfinished Business show last Saturday night.

However, the Athy star is now hoping for a fight in his home county, rather than the home of Irish boxing next. The RTÉ Pundit confirmed that his team are exploring a Kildare show following his one-sided win.

Donovan explained that “my manager [Leonard Gunning] has been talking to Dom [O’Rourke, coach] and the two of them are trying to find a venue. We are in the process to nailing down one, but it could be close to home.”

“It would be good to bring something back to where I started my career, where I will continue it and where the fan base started from. We can move on from there and hopefully work toward an Irish and European title.”

Lillywhite Lightening made light work of his Romanian opponent on Saturday, stopping him the second round, but feels he may have got the job done quicker but for a surprise interval in the show.

“I have to say just before my fight their was an interval and a break for five or ten minutes. I didn’t know that break was coming about so I got a bit cold. I tried to keep warm it’s only a minor thing, but I said I would use the first round as a warm up. I tried a few adventurous punches, but I was was way off the mark, my timing was off, but I was always comfortable and I was never in trouble,” he continued.

“I knew once I got close to him I had the power to hurt him. Toward the end of the first round I caught him a good shot to the solar plexus and I knew I hurt him. I could see his face wince and I knew then that was the area I was going to target in the second round.”

“When I hit him there again he didn’t want to know in the second. He was wirey and slippery, but he telegraphed what he wanted to do.”

Donovan got a taste of the often frantic nature of a pro’s early career as after suffering opponent troubles he only secured a fight at the last minute. He admits such an occurrence did play on his mind during fight week and expressed his delight at just getting a fight.

“I try let my manager look after it, but you are always involved emotionally because you need clarification. If you don’t have it, it can wear and tear at your preparation. You know people have bought tickets in advance and, personally, you do a lot of preparation. I changed work so if i had to pull out of this card it would have been a disaster.”

“So I am finally glad to fight even though it was the eleventh hour sorting it, but it’s better to have fought than not to,” he outlined before paying homage to his rising fan base.

“The support is fantastic, I couldn’t ask for any more from them. All I want to do is give them a good night when they come and watch. I want to deliver because when people come and support you, you want them to have a good night.”

“The feedback that they are having a fantastic nights so hopefully that was the same tonight. The journey is moving on and the Lillywhite army is building.”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography