Andy Lee has urged newbie pro Jim Donovan to use his cousin, Paddy, as his example when he launches his professional career in Belfast on September 13.

The 20-year-old middleweight, who won European youth and schoolboy titles as an amateur, has decided to turn pro under the tutelage of Lee and therefore trains alongside his more feted cousin in Dublin. It means the trainer, who won the WBO middleweight title during his fighting days, now looks after five different fighters in Paddy and Jim Donovan, Joseph Parker, Ben Whittaker and Hamzah Sheeraz.

“The fantastic five,” a laughing Lee said.

The younger Donovan will kick off his professional career at Windsor Park on the undercard of his cousin’s world title attempt against Lewis Crocker next month. DAZN will stream the Donovan-Crocker rematch for the vacant IBF welterweight title and much of its undercard.

Lee is convinced the talent must run in the family given how the younger Donovan has been performing in the gym, but he says the key will be matching his cousin for application, too.

“I’ve been training Jim for a number of years and he’s a very talented, exciting prospect,” Lee told The Ring. “He will be making his debut on Paddy’s undercard, which is an amazing stage to kick things off. I don’t know how far he can go, that will really be up to him.

“There is a personal element because I’ve known him for so long, so he is the next pro I will be training and it’s the start of another exciting journey for the Donovan family. Like Paddy, he’s a southpaw and he’s a puncher and he’s got all the talent in the world. Now let’s see where we can take it.”

Paddy, 26, is 14-1 (11 KOs) six years after he turned professional under Lee in 2019. The two are now on the brink of their first world title together and the trainer says it is down to Donovan’s hard work in the gym.

“Jim could not wish for a better example,” Lee added. “Paddy is a guy with all the talent and all the skill in the world, but he still is a completely dedicated guy. Even with all his attributes and talent, he 100 percent lives the life, doesn’t cut any corners or leave anything to chance. If Jim can do the same, he can go far, too.”