LEWIS CROCKER has made it clear that he wants a rematch with Paddy Donovan.
On March 1, the two Irish welterweights clashed in a brutal showdown at Belfast’s SSE Arena, where a roaring crowd fuelled a night of high drama – and higher controversy.
The winner would receive a shot at Jaron Ennis’s IBF welterweight title, as Ennis gears up to face Eimantas Stanionis in a unification bout on April 12.
After seven rounds, Crocker, dubbed ‘The Croc’ was bleeding from both eyes, reeling from Donovan’s relentless onslaught, and trailing on the scorecards – 69-63 twice and 67-65, even with Donovan docked points in rounds 6 and 8 for using his head. In the eighth, Donovan dropped him with a barrage, and as the bell rang, the Limerick southpaw landed one final, illegal blow that flattened Crocker. Referee Marcus McDonnell waved it off, disqualifying Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) despite his lead, handing Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) the win – and the title shot.
That call didn’t sit right with Donovan’s camp. After lodging an appeal, they scored a victory last week when the IBF ruled in their favour. Keith Sullivan, Donovan’s co-manager, beamed in a press release: “I am very happy that the IBF agreed with my arguments and evidence, they made the right decision under the rules. The rematch will be even bigger than the first fight. The crowd and fans around the globe absolutely loved it; the atmosphere in the arena was electric. It was a great promotion put on by Matchroom and it is unfortunate it ended as it did, but now Paddy will set the record straight and continue his quest for a world title.”
Crocker, fresh off a holiday in Thailand, fired back on Instagram: “Would like to address the rematch situation that the IBF ordered. I WANT the rematch. Anyone whose asked me about my next fight I said I want the Donovan rematch.
“Not once have I mentioned anyone else or any other fight bar the rematch. Although I agree with the decision last time – as a fighter I need to prove to everyone, the fans and to myself and make sure there’s no doubt next time. So, we need to run it back.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn, who backs both fighters, has floated Windsor Park in Northern Ireland as a potential outdoor stage for this grudge match redux. With national pride, unbeaten records, and a world title path at stake, round two promises to be a scorcher.
