BELFAST plays host to an all-Irish clash with huge world title implications on Saturday as Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan meet in a final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title.
It’s a rematch between trainers from last weekend’s heavyweight battle between Martin Bakole and Joseph Parker as Billy Nelson’s Crocker, 20-0 (11KOs), takes on Andy Lee’s Donovan 14-0 (11 KOs).
With a shot at IBF champion Jaron Ennis and Irish bragging rights on the line Boxing News takes a closer look at how the fight could be won and lost in each corner.
LEWIS CROCKER – KEYS TO VICTORY
Believing in his punch power
The build up to Saturday’s clash has been heavily focused on the punch power of both fighters, with trainers Billy Nelson and Andy Lee adamant that their fighters are the biggest puncher of the two.
While Crocker has a lower knockout percentage across his career at just 55%, he clearly punches harder than his record suggests. Donovan is yet to face anyone on the level of Crocker who puts everything into his punches with the sole intention of beating up his opponents.
Crocker has no problem standing in front of his opponents and exchanging punches, and if he decides to trade with Donovan who may not believe in the punch power coming the other way, then the Belfast-native could have plenty of success.
Setting the tone
‘The Croc’ needs to set the tone early in the fight and drag Donovan into a war, who will be comfortable boxing on the back foot and picking the Northern Irishman off with excellent timing.
He needs to attack the body and ultimately slow Donovan down, and Crocker has shown in his recent fights that he attacks the head and body with relentless pressure.
If Crocker can assert himself as the stronger man and bully Donovan in the fight from the first bell, then it could derail the game-plan of the Limerick man who is expected to want to box at range and keep Crocker at a distance.
Experience
At 28 years old, two years older than his opponent this weekend, Crocker is the more seasoned man, coming off three straight wins against good opposition, including two 10-round affairs where it was high work rate from the off and a relentless pace.
Donovan is yet to go 10 rounds and has only fought one notable opponent when he outclassed Lewis Ritson who is at the tail-end of his career last time out, stopping him in the ninth round.
Crocker has been in the tougher fights, has fought nine more times and has invaluable experience of headlining a card ahead of his clash with Donovan, perhaps making him far more prepared than ‘The Real Deal’ Donovan.
PADDY DONOVAN – KEYS TO VICTORY
Andy Lee
Donovan has one of the best tactical trainers in the sport and needs to follow the game-plan and Lee’s instructions in the corner. As a 26-year-old pro in the spotlight for the first time he can’t afford to get caught up in the occasion, subsequently throwing the game-plan out of the window.
While Donovan is an entertainer and wants to put on a show for the crowd, Crocker is a far more dangerous fighter than anyone he has faced before, so he must be sensible and fight his fight, which he has done with great success thus far in his professional career.
Back-foot boxing
If Donovan boxes on the back foot and frustrates Crocker, counterpunching with his excellent timing, he will have plenty of success.
The Limerick man is a great combination puncher and throws punches with lots of volume and accuracy. He’s also a slick boxer who throws from an array of angles, whilst carrying lots of power.
Donovan is the crisper puncher of the two and a fantastic counterpuncher. Against a come-forward, pressure fighter like Crocker, ‘The Real Deal’ has the ability to box on the back foot and make it a very frustrating night for the Belfast-man.
Efficiency
Donovan rarely wastes many punches and is efficient with his work. He needs to maintain this style against Crocker, who will try to wear him out with relentless pressure throughout the fight.
If he’s efficient with his punches, uses his accuracy and timing to great effect, and if the fight goes the full 12 rounds, he will have lots left in the tank to swing the contest in his favour down the stretch.
Both men believe they can get the knockout, but Donovan knows he can’t afford to get dragged into a war and fight on Crocker’s terms, he needs to be efficient and smart, knowing it could be a 12-round affair.
