Paddy ‘Real Deal’ Donovan defeated Karen Chukhadzhian by a majority decision
LIMERICK boxer Paddy Donovan carried the spirit of his late cousins Scarlett and Jason Faulkner with him as he secured another shot at World titles with a big win in Germany on Friday night.
Paddy ‘Real Deal’ Donovan paid tribute to the Limerick siblings, who died a week apart last month, by putting their names on his fight kit and shorts.
The 27-year-old, who is trained by Limerick boxing great Andy Lee, dropped Karen Chukhadzhian twice in a majority decision victory.
Paddy is a second cousin of Scarlett and Jason (pictured below), from Longpavement on the northside of Limerick city.
Mum-of-one Scarlett, aged 29, died in Cork University Hospital weeks after she was seriously assaulted at the side of a road in Birdhill.
Following her death, Paddy posted on social media: “Rest in paradise my cousin… You will be missed. God be with my aunt and uncle and your family.”
Jason, aged 34, who was a pallbearer at Scarlett’s funeral, passed away tragically two days later.
Prior to the contest in Germany, Paddy told The Ring Magazine that he was dedicating the fight to Scarlett and Jason.
“I’ve put their names on my fight kit and shorts (pictured below @suziwongcreations). Obviously, it has not been easy. I’m trying to balance the feelings of my own family at home, what they were going through, things like that,” said Paddy, who attended Scarlett’s funeral and spent all of that day with Jason.
Limerick is very close to his heart. The southpaw told Limerick Live before the fight: “I love Limerick, I love the people of Limerick and I love what Limerick has done for me over the years. The shows and events that I’ve put on over the years is nothing less than the fans from Limerick deserve.
“Limerick is a proud county whether it be hurling or boxing. I feel like I’ve done Limerick proud but I also feel like there’s a lot more to come.”
After his big win on Friday night, Paddy wants a third crack at Lewis Crocker who has defeated the Limerick man twice, once through a controversial disqualification.
