‘I have other plans’- Donovan turned down Golden Contract opportunity

Eric Donovan [10(6)-0] turned down the chance to part take in the Golden Contract tournament as he bids to follow a course he has plotted out for himself.

The exciting new tournament has grabbed wide spread attention in recent weeks with interest peaking over the last few days, thanks in particular to Sky Sports involvement and an extremely unique draw.

At first glance it seems an ideal platform for the Irish featherweight champion to bring his career to the next level and the stylish operator would have been fancied to do well in the eight fighter field.

Indeed, some would have backed the 33-year-old to win the featherweight version of the MTK tournament outright and thus secure a five fight six figure contract with a big promoter, widely believed to be Top Rank.

Again it seems a good opportunity for a fighter, who has proved he has star quality, but needs a next level opportunity.

However, yesterday it emerged the Kildare fighter turned down a request to participate, as show promoter Lee Eaton revealed an offer was knocked back.

Speaking earlier in the week to Irish-boxing.com ‘Lillywhite Lightening’ confirmed the tournament was of no interest to him and revealed his has other plans.

“The Golden Contract tournament doesn’t interest me. I have other plans for my career.”

What those plans are remain to be seen, but with the likes of the British title holder Ryan Walsh, Commonwealth champ Leigh Wood – who faces Donovan’s former Athy club mate David Oliver Joyce in Friday’s quarters- and EU champion Carlos Ramos, who Donovan previously agreed to fight, all tied up in the contest it may open a direct route to the EBU European title.

The Boxing Ireland fighter has been linked to Continental action of late, has this year won the Irish title live on TG4 – enjoys a new found profile as a result – and has somewhat of a step up fight to look forward to later this month.

Donovan takes on Spaniard Cristian Montilla on the ‘He Who Dares’ card come October 25, may look for one more fight before the year is out – possibly on Cletic Clash 10 – and then try and maneuver his way into a big European title fight.