Philippines, 09 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Andy Lee predicts a victory and says Paddy Donovan is not discounting Lewis Ritson

PhilBoxing.com





This Saturday on DAZN from Leeds, UK

NEW YORK (May 20, 2024) – One of the hottest boxing trainers in the world, former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, promises that his rising star, undefeated Irishman Paddy “The Real Deal” Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs), is not looking past his opponent this Saturday, former British lightweight champion Lewis “Sandman” Ritson (23-3, 13 KOs), ahead of a potential showdown later this year with Northern Ireland’s Lewis “The Croc” Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs).

Donovan vs. Ritson is the 10-round co-featured event on a Matchroom Boxing card, headlined by a domestic clash between UK super lightweights Josh Taylor (19-1) and Jack Catterall (28-1), to be streamed on DAZN live from First Direct Arena in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Donovan, the 25-year-old fighting out of Limerick, where Lee hails from, will make his second title defense of the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Champion, after a TKO win over William Andres Herrera (15-2) in his last fight this past January 27.

Although Ritson is a tough fight, the fan-fantasy bout of Donovan vs. Crocker has been brewing for a while. Arguably it could be the most anticipated 2024 fight in Ireland and the UK. Donovan, though, has also ensured that he is fully focused right now on Ritson.

Lee, of course, has been to where Donovan aspires to reach, world champion. The fellow Irishmen have really connected, and they unquestionably believe the best is yet to come.

“There’s no way Paddy’s looking past Lewis Riston,” promised Lee, who also co-manages Donovan with NYC-based lawyer Keith Sullivan. “He’s a very experienced campaigner and at one stage he was the top man in England. We expect a tough, tough fight. Ritson’s moving up in weight, which I think will better suit him, probably bringing out the best in him, because I think he struggled to make the lighter weight for some time now.

“We’re expecting a hard fight, but Paddy’s training has been excellent. He’s in great form and sparring plenty of rounds, so I expect Paddy to come out the winner.”

Ritson, also a former WBA Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Champion, lost his last fight on March 4th, stopped by a body shot from Ohara Davies (24-2) in the ninth round.

“This fight will prepare me for bigger fights,” said the No. 11 WBA-rated welterweight Donovan. “I am lining myself up to win a world championship belt, so I take every fight very seriously, and prepare the best I can for every opponent. He is a really good opponent for me at this stage of my career. I need the challenge he can bring into the ring. This time around, I have had more time to prepare for this challenge than I did for my last fight. I’ve been working hard, and I will be ready!”

INFORMATION:
X (formerly Twitter): @PaddyDonovan23
Instagram: @paddy_realdeal_donovan
Facebook: /PaddyRealDealDonovan




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Leading World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki returns from 15-month layoff with another overpowering KO
    , Mon, 09 Mar 2026
  • Roca, Bernardino share top honors in Tea Block rapid chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Fastpitch Softball on March 20-22 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Opetaia vs Glanton: Dana White Crowns First Boxing Champion. Is Fight Worthy?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • In Thrilling Showdown, Pagara Falls Short Against Polkinghorn by Points.
    , Sun, 08 Mar 2026
  • Unofficial Unification Tournament Brewing For Welterweights
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Fight Results from Montreal: Steven Butler Obliterates Ramadan Hiseni; Wins by Lenar Perez, Jhon Orobio and Steve Claggett
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Former Champ Junior Makabu visits WBC offices in Mexico City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • WEIGHTS FROM SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Weights from Atlantic City
    , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • PFL Releases Francis Ngannou
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Polkinghorn, Pagara at the Scales in Perth, Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Young Briton Rising Star: Callum Dan's Quest for Boxing Glory
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • Chua rules Pattaya Open; pockets $22,500
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 07 Mar 2026
  • All Star Boxing live on ESPN DEPORTES Weights from Nicaragua
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Rozicki’s Return: Presser Quotes from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Undefeated Heavyweight Gustavo “The Cuban Assassin” Trujillo Returns to Headline “Havoc at the Hilton 3” March 7 in Florida
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • AQ Prime Chess bet Marius Zabanal Constante of Pasig City rules Elementary Division of NCR Palarong Pambansa Standard chess elims
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • World-Ranked Light Heavyweight Najee Lopez Battles Mexican Strongman Manuel Gallegos
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Travels to Thailand for 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Eddie Hearn Signs UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall for New Matchroom Talent Agency
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Undefeated Super Welterweight Prospect  Ebenezer “The Stuntman” Griffith
    , Fri, 06 Mar 2026
  • International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.