Former world champion Andy Lee sees choosing opponents for the hugely talented Paddy Donovan as one of his biggest challenges.
Lee, who manages and trains Limerick starlet Donovan (3-0, 2 KOs) and is also on Tyson Fury’s new coaching team, is delighted by the progress his young charge has made on a trio of #MTKFightNight events.
With the 21-year-old Donovan expected to move quickly as a professional under US promoters Top Rank having secured an amazing 13 Irish titles as an amateur, Lee believes there is still much more to see.
Lee said: “Matchmaking is an art in itself and I believe that’ll be one of the toughest elements of managing Paddy.
“He’s so talented and so young and at this stage, for the first year it’s really about getting experience about different types of opponents.
“For me, the records of the opponents don’t really matter compared to their style and the way in which they fight.
“There wasn’t much to see in his debut because it was over so soon but he was a lot more comfortable with the build-up to his second fight.
“There is more finesse to come. Paddy has already shown his power and to some extent his skill but sometimes you have to create the opportunity to knock your opponent out instead of forcing it.”
Top Rank supremo Bob Arum has already expressed great enthusiasm over the future of the ‘Real Deal’ with a US debut set for this year.