A REMATCH between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan could have much more than pride and bragging rights on the line.
The two Irishmen fought on March 1 this year, turning Belfast’s SSE Arena into a cauldron of noise. Their gripping and controversial IBF world title eliminator ended with Donovan, 14-1 (11 KOs), being disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell for hitting Crocker after the bell in the eighth round.
Ahead on all three scorecards (67-65, 69-63 twice), Donovan looked set to move on to a world title shot, but saw that dream taken away due to his violation. Donovan’s team later won an appeal, which granted them a rematch against Crocker, 21-0 (11 KOs).
Their promoter, Eddie Hearn, told The Ring that Windsor Park, home of the Northern Ireland football team, is being lined up to host the second fight, which could be for the IBF world welterweight title recently vacated by Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who is moving up to super-welterweight.
“We’ve been in talks with the government there and we are very close to creating an iconic moment in Belfast. We hope to be able to do it,” Hearn said.
“With Boots potentially moving up to 154lb, that would make Lewis Crocker against Paddy Donovan for the IBF world welterweight title. When are you going to get an all-Irish clash for the world welterweight title? It’s massive and that took our attention the Odyssey to Windsor Park.
“Watch this space. You will see the Crocker-Donovan rematch and I believe you’ll probably see that for the world title once Boots makes his final decision. If that is the case, it will be a monster.”
