Eric Donovan returns against the last fighter to take James Tennyson the distance

Eric Donovan [12(7)-1(1)] can expect rounds this weekend.

The Kildare favourite looks to bounce back from his first career defeat in Belgium on Saturday night.

The Irish featherweight champion is scheduled for six rounds against Rafael Castillo [14(6)-58(200-3] at competes at the Fight Off Training Center, Wavre.

The 35-year-old was due to face Bogdan Draskovic, a teen kick boxing convert with a winning record, but there has been a late change.

Donovan now faces the Spain based Nicaraguan as he attempts to put the Zelfa Barrett defeat into his rear view mirror.

Castillo has been on the road in Europe since 2016 and has provided opposition for a host of well know fighters over the years.

Indeed, the 28-year-old holds the distinction of being the last fighter to take Donovan’s MHD Stablemate James Tennyson the distance. Castillo made it the final bell against the Belfast fighter, who this weekend competes in a world title eliminator, at the Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast in late 2016.

Castillo, who has been stopped 20 times in 58, defeats shouldn’t ask too many questions of a fighter of Donovan’s calibre, but he has the capability to give the former amateur standout rounds.

Donovan has been promised a noteworthy fight on a Matchroom card by Eddie Hearn, who he impressed during Fight Camp.

The Pascal Collins trained fighter had agreed to appear on the Conor Benn undercard, which played out late last month, only for illness to suspend his Matchroom return.

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com