Impressive Paddy Donovan wins world title eliminator in Germany
PADDY DONOVAN RETURNED to winning ways in his IBF world welterweight title eliminator in Mannheim, Germany, tonight.
The Limerick man [15-2, 11KOs] defeated Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhian by majority decision: 115-111, 114-112, 113-113.
Donovan was the slight underdog going in, but he impressed against Chukhadzhian [26-4, 14KOs].
The 27-year-old started sharply and was dominant from the off, dropping his opponent in the sixth and eighth rounds.
Paddy Donovan DROPS Chukhadzian in round 6 ‼️#ChukhadzhianDonovan | May 15 | Live on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/7NDLeaEMNP— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 15, 2026
Was this a knockdown or slip? 🤔#ChukhadzhianDonovan | Live NOW on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/9cQ2C4NIJt— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 15, 2026
Chukhadzhian threatened a comeback as Donovan tired in the closing rounds, but he couldn’t produce the necessary knockout to triumph.
“This fight could go unnoticed, really, but it’s an extremely important fight for my career,” as Donovan told The 42 in a pre-fight interview.
Trained by Andy Lee, the Munster man is now back fighting for the world title after he was denied in September following a second debatable defeat to Lewis Crocker in Belfast.
