BOUT OF THIS WORLD

Andy saw Paddy's potential right from the off

- BY ROBERT HYNES

ANDY Lee was ‘blown away’ the first time he saw Paddy Donovan in action.

So much so that the former middleweight champion of the world decided, instead of sailing off into retirement, he'd become a coach, advisor and - at this stage an extremely close friend - of a then-20-year-old Donovan.

‘The Real Deal’ suffered defeat in that 2019 National Elite final at Dublin's National Stadium, but Lee, who worked under the legendary Emanuel Steward and later Adam Booth, could see the potential.

Donovan turned professional soon afterwards and the pair have been on a hell of a journey since.

Lee was the first ever traveller to win a world title.

Now almost 11 years after that famous night in Las Vegas, he'll be in the corner hoping to see another man from a community that has far too often been racially discriminated against achieve the same goal.

But it hasn't been all plain sailing.

“It's been a great journey, but it’s not been easy,” said Lee.

“There's been a lot of tough times as well.

“He's earned the right (to fight for a world title). He's earned it.

“It’s not been easy for him, professionally and personally there's been a few things, but we got there in the end.”