NEW YORK (May 20, 2024) – One of the hottest boxing trainers in the world, former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, promises that his rising star, undefeated Irishman Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs), is not looking past his opponent this Saturday, former British lightweight champion Lewis “Sandman” Ritson (23-3, 13 KOs), ahead of a potential showdown later this year with Northern Ireland’s Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs).
Donovan vs. Ritson is the 10-round co-featured event on a Matchroom Boxing card, headlined by a domestic clash between UK super lightweights Josh Taylor (19-1) and Jack Catterall (28-1), to be streamed on DAZN live from First Direct Arena in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Donovan, the 25-year-old fighting out of Limerick, where Lee hails from, will make his second title defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Champion, after a TKO win over William Andres Herrera (15-2) in his last fight this past January 27.
Although Ritson is a tough fight, the fan-fantasy bout of Donovan vs. Crocker has been brewing for a while. Arguably it could be the most anticipated 2024 fight in Ireland and the UK. Donovan, though, has also ensured that he is fully focused right now on Ritson.
Lee, of course, has been to where Donovan aspires to reach, world champion. The fellow Irishmen have really connected, and they unquestionably believe the best is yet to come.
“There’s no way Paddy’s looking past Lewis Riston,” promised Lee, who also co-manages Donovan with NYC-based lawyer Keith Sullivan. “He’s a very experienced campaigner and at one stage he was the top man in England. We expect a tough, tough fight. Ritson’s moving up in weight, which I think will better suit him, probably bringing out the best in him, because I think he struggled to make the lighter weight for some time now.
“We’re expecting a hard fight, but Paddy’s training has been excellent. He’s in great form and sparring plenty of rounds, so I expect Paddy to come out the winner.”
Ritson, also a former WBA Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Champion, lost his last fight on March 4th, stopped by a body shot from Ohara Davies (24-2) in the ninth round.
“This fight will prepare me for bigger fights,” said the No. 11 WBA-rated welterweight Donovan. “I am lining myself up to win a world championship belt, so I take every fight very seriously, and prepare the best I can for every opponent. He is a really good opponent for me at this stage of my career. I need the challenge he can bring into the ring. This time around, I have had more time to prepare for this challenge than I did for my last fight. I’ve been working hard, and I will be ready!”
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