Welterweight contender Paddy Donovan has paid tribute to Andy Lee, describing his coach as one of the last representatives of a “dying breed” of boxing teachers.
The Irish fighter is currently deep into training camp with Lee as he prepares for a highly anticipated domestic clash with Tyrone McKenna on September 5.
Donovan remains the leading contender for Liam Paro’s IBF welterweight title, but rather than wait on the sidelines for his championship opportunity, he has chosen to return to action on the huge Croke Park card headlined by Katie Taylor in what is expected to be her farewell fight.
That decision has brought Donovan back into the gym alongside Lee, whose influence on the fighter extends far beyond technical boxing instruction.
Donovan regards Lee as a coach, mentor and close friend, and believes his guidance has played a crucial role in keeping his career on track during some difficult periods.
“Without Andy, I’d be in a strange place,” Donovan said. “I don’t even want to say where I’d be. I’ve got a great team and he’s been monumental to me. Keith Sullivan in America has been the same thing.”
While Donovan prides himself on his discipline and work ethic inside the gym, he explained that Lee has also helped him deal with the challenges that come outside of boxing.
“It’s not about what Andy is doing in the ring that matters, because when I turn up to train I’ll always be the same. I’m very, very disciplined. I work extremely hard, but sometimes I can suffer outside the gym and I think Andy’s done a great job managing me,” he said.
Donovan compared Lee’s ability to manage fighters to the approach of legendary football managers Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, praising his understanding of how to deal with individuals differently.
“I think Andy is very, very good at managing all of us in our own aspects individually, brilliantly. He’s done a great job and I’m still here. I’m still fighting and I’m still trying to keep on that path of becoming world champion, which is not easy.”
Donovan knows that the journey towards becoming a world champion has become increasingly demanding. After suffering consecutive defeats to fellow Irishman Lewis Crocker, he bounced back strongly in May by outpointing the tough Karen Chukhadzhian in Germany to improve his record to 15-2 with 11 knockouts.
Now, Donovan is focused on getting past McKenna and moving closer to his world title opportunity.
“It’s not easy. I didn’t understand that it was going to be this tough, this challenging,” Donovan admitted. “But the main thing is just winning in the ring right now in my career and it’s the most valuable thing that I can do right now.”
“Tyrone is in my way and it’s probably the first fight where I feel like, not angry, but just want to get on with this. Get Tyrone out of the way and go win this world championship. Just as simple as that really.”
Lee's own education in boxing helps explain why Donovan values his guidance so highly. Lee was a decorated amateur before embarking on his professional career, where he learned under the legendary Emanuel Steward before later working with Adam Booth following Steward’s death.
Donovan believes Lee has absorbed valuable lessons from both men and developed his own distinctive approach to coaching.
“I think Andy became a student himself under Emanuel Steward and under Adam Booth and I think Andy is a teacher, he’s one of the best at what he does,” Donovan said.
“He’s not just an exceptional coach, but let’s just say maybe my story is not as dramatic as Mike Tyson and Cus D’Amato, but without Cus D’Amato, Tyson would have suffered early and Andy was that figure for me. Simple as.”
Donovan also notices the influence of Steward and Booth in Lee’s training methods, saying different aspects of their philosophies can still be seen in his coach's approach.
“For this camp I’ve been training a bit like the way Emanuel would have trained Andy, I suppose. But then there’s some fights where Andy has me on the pads and he’d be a bit like Adam Booth.”
Ultimately, Donovan believes Lee possesses a rare combination of boxing knowledge, intelligence and people skills that makes him stand out from modern trainers.
“As a teacher, I think he’s so wise and intelligent. I think he has a bit of everything, a bit of Adam and a bit of Emanuel,” Donovan said.
“I think Andy is just a different breed really. He’s the last of a dying breed, the way he can manage, the way he can speak and the way he can act. Thankfully Andy’s in my life.”
With McKenna standing between Donovan and his next step towards a world title, the Irish contender will hope the lessons he has learned from Lee can help him produce another important victory on September 5.
