Rising Irish boxing star Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs), the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Champion, had to withdraw from a planned “stay busy” fight in December due to a minor injury but now he’s preparing to fight his arch-rival in arguably the most anticipated Irish boxing match in history.

An All-Irish showdown between Donovan, who fights out of Limerick and trains in Dublin, and Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs), of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is set for March 1st. “Point of Pride” will headline a Matchroom Boxing card to be streamed live on DAZN from SES Arena in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) world title eliminator. As soon as two fights away, Donovan could get his world title shot, if he defeats Crocker, as the IBF mandatory challenger.

“There’s something different about a good Irish fighter and I believe I’m the next,” Donovan proclaimed. “I think having turned pro at 19 and now 25, it took many life changes since turning pro. It’s so much what I’ve learned in the gym that counts the most as it is the ups-and-downs of life – becoming a husband and father, losing loved ones – that helped me to improve. I’ve improved as a person and that helped me become a better fighter.”

A true throwback fighter, Donovan is currently rated in three of the four major sanctioning bodies: WBA #5, IBF #6, and World Boxing Council #14. He has dreamed of being a world champion since he was seven years old.

“I am in an amazing position, so I thank God for that and my team, Andy Lee (head trainer/co-manager) and (NYC-based attorney) Keith Sullivan (co-manager),” Donovan noted. “It’s great to be ranked so highly at this stage of my career, but I am ranked where I am supposed to be. To be ranked so high in three major sanctioning bodies is brilliant. I know I will not stop until I’m world champion.

“I am always in the gym and thinking about my next challenge. I’m saying it’s time. I love what I do. I’m very grateful to God for being in this position. I believe in God’s plan for me to become world champion.”

“It is going to be an explosive fight for sure,” commented NYC attorney Keith Sullivan, who co-manages Donovan with former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who is also Paddy’s head trainer. “Two tough, rugged Irishmen with a lot to prove to the world. We were concerned about the injury but feel confident that it won’t pose an issue for the March 1st battle. Paddy is locked in and training hard under the ever-watchful guidance of trainer Andy Lee.”