IRISH boxing will receive a massive boost in the coming months.
Following their controversial IBF welterweight title final eliminator in March Lewis Crocker, 21-0 (11 KOs), and Paddy Donovan, 14-1 (11 KOs), have received the news they had hoped for.
Last night (July 10) Matchroom Boxing confirmed that not only is their rematch on, with a date and venue pending, but it will have a world title at stake. The two welterweights now have the chance to become Ireland’s first world champion at 147lbs since Eamonn Loughran beat Lorenzo Smith to win the vacant WBO title at Kings Hall, Belfast in 1993.
Crocker and Donovan will contest the vacant IBF welterweight title following a decision by unified champion Jaron Ennis to relinquish the belt and move up to super-welterweight. The American also held the WBA version but at time of writing the WBA website still lists ‘Boots’ as their champion. It is expected that the 28-year-old will also vacate their championship.
Crocker reacted to the rematch news with a post on Instagram late last night.
“World title fight! The biggest fight in Irish boxing history. Time to prove them all wrong,” the Belfast boxer said.
Donovan expressed his joy on social media shortly after Matchroom announced he would be fighting for a world title.
“It’s my time to become IBF world champion,” the Limerick fighter wrote. “Thank you to my team. It’s going to be history on the Emerald Isles 26 years young. Let’s go!”
While a date and venue is still to be finalised promoter Eddie Hearn is attempting to stage the second fight outdoors at Windsor Park in Northern Ireland. After their first fight at the city’s SSE Arena there is no doubt the demand for tickets will be even bigger and fans will hope that there is a conclusive ending this time. Back in March Donovan was ahead on all three scorecards and floored Crocker in round eight but was disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell for hitting his opponent after the bell.
Later in March Donovan and his team successfully won an appeal with the IBF after challenging the referee’s decision. The IBF agreed with their findings and ordered a rematch between number one contender (Crocker) and number three contender (Donovan).
