Earlier than Kian Hedderman ever dreamed of nationwide titles or professional contracts, there was one fighter who first made him imagine it was all doable — Paddy Donovan.
The Limerick native’s story is a novel one. He got here late to the sport, first getting into a boxing health club at 17 years of age, went on to win Irish beginner titles, and shortly grew to become famed for optimistic sparring tales.
Martin ‘Gugu’ Donovan seen the expertise instantly – it’s mentioned he predicted Irish title success for the well-supported Treaty man after their first pad session – and made it clear the late begin wouldn’t cease him being a hit.
Certainly, the Donovans adopted them into their boxing household instantly and the OLOL graduate credit them for lots of his success.
“From day one, it was Paddy,” Hedderman informed Irish-boxing.com. “The primary time I walked into the health club at 17, I didn’t know something about boxing. He was already 3-0 as a professional, and I simply tapped him up immediately. I fell in love with the professional sport after that.”
Now, just some years later, the Limerick pair practice side-by-side, with ‘The Actual Deal’ serving as each mentor and motivator for the rising prospect.
“Anytime I’m within the health club, Paddy’s there. And he all the time helps — all the time keen to clarify what he’s doing or the way to do one thing. You don’t get that from everybody,” he provides.
“Even being beside him in camp is a blessing. He leads by instance. His depth, his work ethic, how good he’s within the ring — it’s off the charts.”
Donovan, who’s gearing up for a high-stakes rematch with Lewis Crocker, has introduced that very same focus into their shared classes, pushing the Jason Quigley-managed boxer to boost his sport and take in every little thing doable.
“You simply study from watching him. He works on the tiniest issues. It’s the 1%, the little edges that make the distinction.”
Hedderman additionally has sturdy supporters in Limerick rival began Graham McCormack, home pattern setter Jamie Morrissey in addition to Andy Lee, Edward Donovan, Shaun Kelly, Ken Moore and the remainder of the Treaty battle names, however is effectively conscious having a quickly to be world title challenger in his wider group is huge.
“There’s an actual tradition right here. Limerick is a boxing metropolis. And I’ve been fortunate that somebody like Paddy has been proper there beside me from the beginning.”
