Eric Donovan vowed to come back stronger as the Kildare boxer expressed disappointment following his defeat to Zelfa Barrett on Friday night.
The Athy native took on his Manchester-born opponent at Fight Camp 3 in Brentwood, Essex with the IBF Super Featherweight Intercontinental title on the line, as well as a launchpad towards potential future world title shots.
The 35-year-old started the fight well and had edged the contest for the first six rounds against Barrett. But an eighth round stoppage after suffering two knockdowns in the seventh ended Donovan's bid to win the title.
Wow, what an experience #fightcamp was. To say I'm gutted is an understatement. Sometimes you have to lose to win & that's life. Thanks to my coach @kenegan30 @MARKHDUNLOP & the whole team behind Lilywhite Lightning. Respect to @zelfaflash I wish you well champ. I'll be back! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/5tWgCfWxfg
— Eric Lilywhite Lightning Donovan (@eric_donovan60) August 15, 2020
"Wow, what an experience Fight Camp was. To say I'm gutted is an understatement," Donovan tweeted on Saturday, before paying tribute to his coaches and opponent.
"Sometimes you have to lose to win and that's life. Thanks to my coach Kenneth Egan, Mark Dunlop and the whole team behind Lilywhite Lightning. Respect to Zelfa, I wish you well champ. I'll be back."
Speaking after the fight, promoter Eddie Hearn had praised the Irishman, telling Sky Sports: "Eric Donovan, we've said it all week, what a lovely, lovely man. He's devastated. He gave everything."
