Top Rank has announced the signing of multi-time Irish amateur champion Paddy Donovan to a promotional deal.
The company announced that it signed Donovan to a multi-year deal and the 20-year-old is now set to start his professional career with the company led by Bob Arum. Donovan's pro debut has yet to be announced, but it will take place later this year and he will compete as a welterweight.
As an amateur, Donovan sports a record of 161-5 and won 13 national titles. Donovan also captured a silver medal at the 2015 AIBA World Junior Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia and chose to go pro rather than opt in to compete in the 2020 Olympics. Donovan is also managed by former world champion Andy Lee and said his young fighter has the makings to be a world champion someday.
?Paddy is a special talent. He has all the skills and character to become a world champion. Top Rank?s record of taking amateur boxers and guiding them into world champions is second to none. We couldn?t be with a better company," Lee said in a press release.
Donovan isn't the first Irish boxer with a decorated amateur career to sign with Top Rank boxing to start his pro career. Top Rank also has featherweight contender Michael Conlan on its roster and is set to fight Vladimir Nikitin on August 3 at the annual Féile an Phobail festival in Belfast, Northern Ireland and will be streamed on ESPN+ in the United States.