WINDSOR PARK, Northern Ireland’s national football stadium, remains a frontrunner to host the rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan.
In an article published on BBC Sport NI it states that September 20 is the ‘tentative date’ being looked at. Promoter Matchroom Boxing, the Irish Football Association (IFA), and Northern Ireland’s Communities Minister Gordon Lyons are all reportedly keen to make the event happen.
A key meeting with Lyons is set for today (Thursday), with further talks scheduled later this month with the IFA, who are enthusiastic about staging the welterweight clash. It had been reported last month that financial costs could force the rematch to stay indoors with a return to the SSE Arena mooted. The BBC wrote that a crowd of approximately 16,000 would be needed to break even financially, a significant jump from the 8,000 fans who packed Belfast’s SSE Arena for the pair’s first meeting in March.
Back on March 1 Belfast’s Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) handed Limerick’s Donovan (12-1, 9 KOs) his first career defeat via a controversial ninth-round disqualification, despite Donovan’s dominance in a bout billed as an IBF welterweight title eliminator.
The IBF ordered an immediate rematch in May, partly upholding a protest from Donovan’s team, who argued referee Marcus McDonnell’s decision – following points deductions in rounds six and eight and a final infraction for punches after the bell – was overly harsh. While their bid to have the fight ruled a no-contest was rejected, the appetite for a second showdown remains strong.
The winner could be in line to challenge Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for the IBF welterweight title, though speculation persists that Ennis may vacate and move to super-welterweight by the autumn. Crocker is the current number one contender, number two is vacant while Donovan is two places below. Should Ennis relinquish his belt the two Irishmen could be ordered by the IBF to fight for the vacant strap.
