Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan 2

**Master** · 06-26-2025 12:48 PM

Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith is "very confident" the rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will be for the vacant IBF welterweight title and that "we are moving in the right direction" for the fight to take place at Windsor Park.

Saturday, 13 September has been floated as a potential date for what would be the first all-Irish world title fight.

The first meeting between the pair took place on 1 March, drawing a sell-out crowd of 8,500 at Belfast's SSE Arena for what was touted as a final eliminator for the title, held by Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.

"Any day that should be finalised," Smith told BBC Sport NI when asked about the rematch having world title status.

"That will obviously add a big storyline to the fight. The first fight ended in controversy and this is their chance to prove who deserves to get that win and become world champion.

"Hopefully in the coming days we'll have an update on that and confirmation from the IBF that it'll be for a full world title."

In the first fight, Crocker won via disqualification at the end of the eighth round when, having twice previously been deducted points for fouls, Limerick's Donovan was thrown out for punching after the bell.

An appeal from Donovan's team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch which again would be a final eliminator.

However, in a twist last week, champion Ennis confirmed he is to move up to the light-middleweight division.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/clym6q31m80o

**TIC** · 07-10-2025 10:43 PM

boots has officially vacated his ibf belt so the vacant title will be on the line for this fight

**Master** · 08-05-2025 12:36 PM

Trainer Andy Lee has urged Paddy Donovan to be "ruthless" when he takes on Lewis Crocker for the vacant IBF welterweight title on 13 September in Belfast.

Donovan was in a commanding position when he first faced Crocker on 1 March but was disqualified at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell, following two earlier points deductions for use of the head and elbow.

Following his disqualification, Donovan's team successfully lobbied for a rematch which was granted by the IBF, but the result of the first fight stood.

That first fight was a final eliminator for the world title, but with Jaron 'Boots' Ennis since vacating to move up to the light-middleweight division, the title is now on the line for the rematch to be staged at Windsor Park.

The opportunity to make up for his disappointment last time is a motivating factor but Lee, Donovan's head coach, does not believe his man needs to drastically change much aside from ending the argument as soon as the chance presents itself.

"The tweaks are more on his (Crocker's) side," Lee told BBC Sport NI.

"Does he become more aggressive or try to be more adventurous with his punch output? If he does, he's going to leave himself more open.

"My advice to Paddy is to be ruthless and when you get your chance, take him out. He might have had the chance last time but was enjoying it too much, so now he has to go out there and grab his title."

It would be something of a full circle moment should Donovan emerge victorious as although a native of Limerick, Belfast has been something of a home venue.

Five of his previous 15 professional contests have taken place in the city, including his debut back in 2019 - for which Lee was in his corner.

Returning to Belfast for this huge night does not hold any fears for fighter and coach with Lee suggesting it would be fitting that Donovan is crowned world champion in the city.

"I started out with Paddy as an amateur," he said of their journey together.

"This is his sixth time fighting in Belfast and he's always had a great reception, so we feel at home here. I have a great affinity with Belfast, trained here many times and fought a couple of times myself, so it's a great boxing city.

"It's beautiful that he started his career here and he'll win his world title here."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/cvg0ez78p4qo