IF ever there was a theme drifting through the Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan rivalry, it’s the desire for clarity and definitive answers to lingering questions. Barring another wacky turn of events, this Saturday evening’s rematch in Windsor Park, Belfast, should close the book, allowing each fighter to move up the pecking order or down into a heap, depending on the outcome.
Following their controversial first meeting, in the SSE Arena, where Donovan mostly dominated, only to be foiled by an eighth-round disqualification from disgruntled referee Marcus McDonnell, this all-Irish world title fight at 147 pounds is a clear case of unfinished business.
You’d imagine that fighting once again on Crocker’s home turf would benefit him, but visitor Donovan seemed to enjoy the pressure and vitriol of their first meeting. The crowd was certainly pumped up inside the Odyssey, including some fisticuffs between rival factions at the conclusion, fuelled by the drama of the ending.
Donovan says he didn’t hear the bell when landing the finishing shot. Leading 69-63 on two of the cards and 67-65, his superior position was in little doubt. Nobody wanted it to end the way it did, including Crocker, who admitted he was knocked out, unfairly so.
To avoid another unsatisfactory conclusion, can each man do things a little differently? The onus lies on Crocker and coach Billy Nelson to change their approach from high hands, duck inside, soak up the punishment and hope to land the left hook. It was a flat-footed, static strategy that didn’t work at all.
That said, Donovan must also make alterations. Crocker’s eye damage and part of the controversy came from the accusation of his illicit use of heads and elbows. The elbow was a clear “push off” weapon in the early stages. Donovan supporters would counter that by claiming Crocker was dipping in with the head, so it represents another grey area.
BoxRec starkly lists the rap sheet and vital statistics of the fight, revealing that Donovan was deducted two points on separate occasions for his apparent misdemeanours. It also tellingly states that the Crocker cuts around his eyes were caused by punches. The eye swelling is not accounted for.
Stylistically, they match up nicely. Belfast’s Crocker, 28, was a fine amateur who has amassed a 21-0 (11 KOs) slate as a pro, moving between trainers, now settled in Scotland. Manager Jamie Conlan has guided his career well. Matchroom have taken him on and turned him into a headline attraction, taglined as a fearsome finisher.
Limerick’s Donovan, 26, 14-1 (11 KOs), also an excellent amateur, is a defensively-responsible southpaw who can clearly dig, even though Andy Lee’s proclamation before the first fight that his man was the bigger puncher was roundly laughed at. I actually think Lee might be right in his estimation.
I don’t believe Crocker is the heavy-hitter that he’s being made out to be. Not at this kind of level anyway. Getting close enough to land those shots is also a major issue. The Sandy Row slugger looked at his most dangerous towards the end of the first fight when flailing, winging hooks in desperation; a grimace on the face, eye slammed shut.
Donovan reckons “everything has come together” in this camp, working under the watchful eye of today’s vogue trainer Andy Lee. Sparring the likes of former world champ David Avanesyan has offered him the chance to sharpen the tools against a similar style to his Northern adversary.
Donovan’s confident swagger and lofty ambitions have not left him since the March debacle, as proven by last week’s statement: “I want to fight the best welterweights in the world — Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn, Rolando Romero, Brian Norman, Jr. — and unify titles. And they’ll have to come to Ireland to fight me!”
Even if he beats Crocker, as I expect him to, those latter ambitions are unrealistic. If he is to entertain such names, it’ll be on their terms and a long way from the Emerald Isle.
Back to the island and tensions will be high before, during and after the main event. The last time Windsor Park hosted a fight was Carl Frampton’s ninth-round stoppage win over unbeaten Aussie Luke Jackson.
It was August 2018. A youthful Lewis Crocker, 6-0, boxed in the early portion of that card, shutting out the well-travelled William Warburton over six rounds.
The heavens opened at the end, and we all got soaked on an evening that saw a functional comeback king, Tyson Fury, outbox Francesco Pianeta 100-90 and finalise a fight with Deontay Wilder.
The Alabama banger had been flying around Belfast all week, making his sizeable presence known. The pair would box that December to an infamous draw that shaped the future of the heavyweight division.
The stakes are just as high for these two young Irish boxers on September 13. A great deal lighter than Fury or Wilder, with no less ambition. Tangling for the IBF welterweight title vacated by Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis means there’s even more on the line than the first fight, which was a mere eliminator.
The rematch suits all parties. Crocker gets another crack at glory, having been left second best. Donovan is no worse off (apart from his overall record) for having a DQ, as he is now rewarded with a title shot, and Eddie Hearn can promote it all over again, with extra money and added spice.
Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan 2 Fight Prediction
It will be interesting to see who the IBF designates as the referee tasked with keeping the peace. They might have a difficult evening in this DAZN headliner. If and when the first warning for any infringements arrives, we will see how both men react and how it impacts the rhythm of the fight.
I don’t reckon the football stadium atmosphere will have an adverse impact on Donovan at all. In fact, I reckon he’ll thrive on it. It’s boom-or-bust for Crocker in my opinion. Defeat may be the last time he ever competes on such a lofty stage.
Crocker waited in the first fight for something to click. It never did, and as things got away from him, he retreated into his shell and started to feel sorry for himself. ‘The Croc’ will need plenty of mental fortitude to battle through a horde of collective demons here. Early engagement at the top table of the opening press conference didn’t scream super confidence to those in attendance or watching at home.
I reckon it’ll be tense and tentative early on, with each man enjoying pockets of success. However, once Donovan finds his range and starts tagging the body, the head will go soon after.
I envisage Paddy proving he’s the ‘Real Deal’ at world-level with an accumulative stoppage around the 10th as Crocker sags to his knees in resignation at a momentum tide he is unable to turn.
