The 25-year-old Donovan, who’s ranked No. 13 on the planet by the World Boxing Affiliation(WBA), efficiently defended his WBA belt for the primary time, albeit by overcoming some adversity earlier than his Argentinian opponent was stopped for the primary time in his profession.
“It was nice to be again in Belfast,” Donovan mentioned after the Herrera struggle. “It was a tricky struggle in opposition to a really sturdy opponent. Good scrap, I received hit and it’s not day-after-day you see me get hit.
I received a bit fatigued and hit with a few photographs however dug deep and pulled out the win. It was good to get the rounds at this stage of my profession and to be in with fighters who hit again. There’s nonetheless so much for me to be taught. It will get tougher and these are the sort fights I would like going ahead. There are various kinds of fighters that I would like now. It’s vital to undergo the totally different phases of my profession to be prepared after I get right into a 12-round world title struggle. It’s boxing.
“I’m trying ahead to large fights in 2024. I consider I can beat any fighter on the planet if I’m on my A sport. I’ve a terrific group and belief them to decide on what’s subsequent for me. They at all times have my again.”
Donovan is educated by former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, who additionally co-manages Donovan with New York Metropolis-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.
“I’ve very proud of how he carried out,” Lee commented, “contemplating it was a brief coaching camp with Christmas in the midst of it. He had solely came upon in regards to the struggle in late December, so he solely had 4 or 5 weeks. He stepped in and did an excellent job. Herrera got here on robust round rounds 5 and 6, however Paddy confirmed his character and received the stoppage in spherical seven. I used to be very happy with that. He’s maturing and that was a really mature efficiency. He stepped up effectively and didn’t panic when it regarded like Herrara was approaching robust. Paddy stored his composure and located the punch to get the stoppage.”
Donovan has a number of choices on the desk for 2024, which figures to be a vital 12 months for the Irish welterweight sensation by way of him growing right into a respectable world title challenger.
“We don’t have affirmation of when his subsequent struggle is,” Lee defined, “but when Katie Taylor is to struggle in Dublin in Might, which has been rumored, I’d prefer to have Paddy struggle in one other difficult struggle. It will be good to struggle in Limerick to deliver bigtime boxing again to Limerick. After which a giant struggle in the direction of the top of the 12 months. With that variety of fights, he must be proper on track, placing himself in as one of many high contenders within the welterweight division.”
“This struggle showcased the depth of Paddy’s skill and tenacity,” Sullivan famous. “He regarded nice, stayed extremely calm, and scored the knockout. You may’t ask a fighter for greater than that. Shifting ahead, each choice is on the desk. We’re planning an eventful 12 months for Paddy.”
Donovan is utilizing his boxing platform to advertise the suicide prevention charity that gives psychological well being providers all through Eire, Pieta Home. Paddy misplaced two relations to suicide. The Pieta Disaster Helpline, 1-800-247-247, gives disaster intervention assist, 24 hours a day one year a 12 months, to anybody experiencing suicidal ideas or participating in self-harm and likewise helps these bereaved by way of suicide. “If I can get any individual to name that quantity and alter their life,” Donovan believes, “I believe my deed is completed on this earth.”
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Govt Author, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a ardour for Fight Sports activities and likewise a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s additionally a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
