Paddy Donovan dominates Tyrone McKenna, wins inside four rounds

DUBLIN, Ireland – Paddy Donovan continued his march towards a world title shot with a fourth round stoppage of Tyrone McKenna at Dublin’s Croke Park.

The bout between two Irishmen took place on the undercard of Katie Taylor’s swansong against Flora Pili. Donovan had already secured a mandatory shot at the IBF 147lbs title with his victory over Karen Chukhadzhian back in May, but an opportunity to box on such a momentous occasion for Irish boxing was too good to turn down. The 80,000 capacity Croke Park was nearly full to the brim as the two Irish southpaws battled it out in the ring. 

Belfast’s McKenna, 25-7-1 (8 KOs), had whipped himself into top condition out in Philadelphia under trainer Derrick “Bozy” Ennis, but the fight was not competitive. The speed and power of Limerick's Donovan, 27, was on display from the opening session, when he landed a thudding left hand to the top of McKenna’s head. 

The 37-year-old McKenna took it well but the writing was on the wall, and he was dropped in the second by a left uppercut. 

The usually durable McKenna climbed to his feet and fought back well in the third, even landing a hard right hand that gained Donovan’s respect. 

However, things turned sour again in the fourth when Donovan pushed the pace. Donovan landed a right hand that stunned McKenna and followed it up with a left hand that opened a nasty gash above McKenna’s eye. 

The doctor was called in and decided McKenna was in no condition to continue.

The bout was waved off at 2:33 of the fourth round and Donovan, 16-2 (12 KOs), will now await his meeting with welterweight champion Liam Paro.