Paddy Donovan

Paddy Donovan grew up in a fighting family as his father Tommy “The Fighting Fireman” Donovan was a 1927 New Zealand amateur champion who then had 46 professional fights between 1929-35. Paddy Donovan boxed twice at the Olympics, in 1956 and 1964, and was a controversial omission from the 1960 Games. Donovan also won bronze medals twice at the British Empire Games, in 1958 and 1962. He was New Zealand lightweight champion in 1956-57, 1959, and 1962, winning the Jameson Belt as the most scientific boxer at the championships in 1956, 1959, and 1962. Donovan was also known as a rugby player, playing first five-eighths for Hawke’s Bay from 1955-59.

Paddy was an accountant who joined the Hastings firm of Denton, Denton, and Mackay in 1962, became a partner in 1968, and worked there for 50 years. He also established Pumpton Park Estate on the family farm and in 2001 formed Ballydooley Cider Ltd. In 2006 he established The Filter Room, partnering with Hawke’s Bay Independent Brewery. In 2008 he was inducted into the Hawke’s Bay Sports Hall of Fame.