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Scot the job done! Eric Donovan does the business in Glasgow

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Eric Donovan rounded off a year of progression with a points win in Glasgow last night.

The Irish featherweight champion registered a shut out points win over noted tough journey man Edwin Tellez on a Sam Kynoch show.

The Kildare fighter joined the likes of Declan Geraghty, Sean Duffy, Stevie Quinn Jr and Tyrone McCullagh as Irish men to out score the Spain based Nicaraguan, Donovan with a 60-54 points win.

The victory was obtained with coach Kenneth Egan in the corner. Olympic silver medal winner, Egan looked like he was going to be a notable absentee when his found out his flight to Scotland was doubled booked.

The news and a public post from the former Neilstown amateur caused quite a stir, but Egan found alternative passage and arrived just in time to walk Donovan to the ring.

The victory see’s Donovan progress to 11-0 and looks to set up a breakthrough 2020.

‘Lillywhite Lightening’ had a solid 2019, he got three fights in and managed to win the Irish title live on TG4.

He may not have had the chance to kick on further from that win, but he was close to fighting for the EU European title and a more vocal approach with regard to his desire for big fights has seen his profile raise further.

The former standout amateur, who actually manned the corner for Jude Gallagher as he claimed the National Elite flyweight title on Friday night, will be back out as soon as February 1.

Cristian Montilla will provide the opposition when Donovan trades leather on Celtic Clash 10 in Belfast.

The Las Palmas man is a former Spanish champion holding the title at super-bantamweight and may open doors for a shot at the winner of Mauro Forte and Aritz Pardal’s vacant EU title fight which plays out in Rome five days shy of Christmas.

Speaking on social media after the win Donovan said:

“Thanks to all my supporters for the well wishes, texts, posts & encouragement. Honestly, I am absolutely shattered… it’s been one of the toughest camps to date. Anyway, we got the job done 11-0 now and we move onwards.

“Fair play to my coach Kenneth Egan who despite being let down by Aer Lingus, he was determined to be in my corner and he got there in the end. Much respect!!

“To the fans who travelled out to Glasgow and were in full singing voices, thanks for making it a special experience… yiz are truly amazing, thank you!!

“To all my sponsors who funded this trip and are a big reason the Lilywhite Lightning Team keeps rolling on. I can’t thank you enough, you are helping me to keep the dream alive.

“My next fight is the 1st February 2020 in Belfast, the momentum is building again!”

dpg

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

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