‘Crocker v Donovan title fight could define careers’

IBF welterweight world title: Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan

Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast Date: Saturday, 13 September

When Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan step through the ropes at Belfast’s Windsor Park on Saturday night, winning the vacant IBF welterweight title will be their primary goal, but the prize is so much more greater.

Six months on from their controversial title eliminator at the city’s SSE Arena which saw Belfast’s Crocker (21-0,11 KOs) awarded victory by way of disqualification, they will meet again with both seeking redemption as two fighters from the island of Ireland contest a world title for the first time.

Ordinarily, a rematch leaves one fighter seeking adjustments to overturn a loss, but in this instance, it is the winner of the first fight viewed as the one with it all to do.

At the time of the stoppage in March, Donovan led on all three scorecards despite being docked a point in rounds six and eight for fouls.

A legitimate knockdown in the ninth appeared to leave the Limerick man on the cusp of victory, but continuing his attack after the bell sounded prompted referee Marcus McDonnell to issue his third strike and throw Donovan out, resulting in his first career reverse in his 15th fight.

A subsequent appeal to the IBF from Donovan and his team saw a rematch ordered.

With champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vacating the title to move into the light-middleweight division, Crocker and Donovan will vie for the belt with upwards of 20,000 fans expected at the home of Northern Ireland football.

“Neither guy has experienced what they are about to experience,” promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.

As recently as two years ago, this match-up was not one that dominated the agenda in boxing circles.

Crocker, who fought at Windsor Park in 2018 on the undercard of Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson, had caught the attention with a string of knockout wins early in his career.

However, his momentum stalled and it took a breakout win against fellow Belfast man Tyrone McKenna in December 2023 for many to take notice again.

That victory came seven days after Donovan made a breakthrough of his own, stopping Danny Ball in Dublin on the Katie Taylor v Chantelle Cameron II undercard.

With Matchroom promoting both events, the wheels were suddenly in motion to put Crocker and Donovan on a collision course, which finally came to pass in March.

Despite the crushing disappointment of how the first fight ended, ‘The Real Deal’ has oozed confidence, striding with a spring in his step during this week’s build-up.

“My confidence is through the roof and you are going to see on Saturday night just how good I am,” said 26-year-old Donovan.

“Lewis is a good fighter – I’m not going to take that away from him. He does a lot of things well, but he also makes a lot of mistakes. I just think I can capitalise on those mistakes that he makes. I think I’m a better puncher, that I have more skill, I’ve got more heart, and I’ve got a better engine. I’m better in every single department than Lewis. I am going to stop Lewis Crocker.”

If Donovan’s approach can be described as bullish, Crocker’s had been low-key, seemingly content with the underdog tag.

He was happy to engage in the verbal sparring prior to the first fight with Donovan, but this time said little all week until the poker face broke at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in after scaling 146.6lbs to Donovan’s 145.7.

“I just can’t wait to silence all the doubters,” said Crocker.

Crocker may have underperformed in the first fight, but his tactics also seemed off.

His high guard with elbows tucked in, while staying on Donovan’s toes, may have smothered the Limerick man initially, but as the rounds ticked by, Donovan found a flow having made his own adjustments.

Perhaps starting much faster and letting his heavy hands go early is what the Belfast man needs to do in order to stamp some authority on proceedings.

However, it is highly unlikely Donovan and his coach, Andy Lee, have not considered that possibility and they too will likely try and tweak their approach to stay one step ahead.

Lee has called on his man to be “ruthless” this time around, as while his silky southpaw skills and superb footwork are major attributes, the Limerick man also carries power.

What let him down last time was indiscipline as while Crocker was crouching with his head forward at times, Donovan was penalised for use of the head and elbow before the final offence saw his excellent performance undone.

The ability to handle the occasion will play a part in what is potentially a career-defining night for the pair.

History awaits, as do the keys to the kingdom, vindication, glory and redemption.

“This is not just a rematch, but a rematch with edge,” said BBC 5 Live’s Steve Bunce.

“If you get to look at the end of that (first) fight, it was incredible and we are going to get to go over that ground again, so that’s what makes this special.