Headline News

Eric Donovan to take on Spanish champ in Belfast

Eric Donovan has been handed a tough fight and a chance of a third title next month.

The Kildare featherweight, the reigning Irish champion, boxes on the Slater Sports Consultancy ‘He Who Dares’ card in Belfast on Saturday October 25th and now has an opponent confirmed.

It has been announced that Donovan [10(6)-0] will face Spaniard Cristian Montilla [9(5)-4(3)-1] for the Celtic Nations featherweight title.

The fight will take place over eight rounds in the Devenish Venue in West Belfast as the ‘Lilywhite Lightning’ looks to set up a major breakthrough in 2020.

Arguably Donovan’s toughest opponent to date, the 30-year-old Canary Islander is a former Spanish super bantamweight champion, held Olympian and European champion Dennis Ceylan to a draw, and has a number of other wins in competitive fights.

Donovan recently entered the European Union rankings and is aiming to build towards the belt held currently by Carlos Ramos – but who is set to be stripped in the coming days with Mauro Forte in pole position to box for the vacant title.

The Athy 34-year-old had called for a slot on the Katie Taylor undercard in Manchester on November 2nd but has since stated that his sole focus is his October 25th date.

The ‘He Who Dares’ card is headlined by Cathy McAleer’s Commonwealth title fight versus Ellen Simwaka and features a number of competitive clashes – Craig O’Brien v Owen Jobburn, Victor Rabei v Sam Jones, Cillian Reardon v Jake Best – along with undercard support from the likes of Dylan Moran, Ruadhan Farrell, Katelynn Phelan, Paddy Nevin, and the pro debut of Darren O’Neill.

Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

x