TALKS have started between Lewis Crocker’s management and the Irish Football Association to bring a blockbuster rematch between ‘The Croc’ and Paddy Donovan to Windsor Park, The Belfast Telegraph reports.
The Belfast stadium, home to Northern Ireland’s men’s football team, could host one of Ireland’s biggest sporting events yet. With 18,500 seats, promoter Eddie Hearn is banking on Crocker’s loyal Northern Irish fanbase and Donovan’s Limerick following to pack the venue.
The pair’s first clash on March 1, 2025, at Belfast’s SSE Arena set the stage. Fans roared through a chaotic finish, where Crocker claimed victory after Donovan landed an illegal punch post-bell in round eight. Donovan, ahead 69–63 twice and 67–65 on the scorecards, had already lost points for headbutting, as ruled by referee Marcus McDonnell. When the late blow landed, McDonnell disqualified Donovan, handing a battered Crocker the win.
Tagged as an IBF welterweight title eliminator, the fight promised the winner a shot at champion Jaron Ennis. But Donovan’s team appealed to the IBF, and co-manager Keith Sullivan’s case was successful.
“The rematch will be even bigger than the first fight,” Sullivan said in a press release. “The crowd and fans around the globe absolutely loved it; the atmosphere in the arena was electric. It was a great promotion put on by Matchroom and it is unfortunate it ended as it did, but now Paddy will set the record straight and continue his quest for a world title.”
Crocker, nursing cuts over both eyes, welcomed the IBF’s call. Fresh off a holiday, he took to Instagram: “Would like to address the rematch situation that the IBF ordered. I WANT the rematch. Anyone who’s asked me about my next fight, I’ve said I want the Donovan rematch.
“Not once have I mentioned anyone else or any other fight bar the rematch. Although I agree with the decision last time – as a fighter I need to prove to everyone, the fans and to myself and make sure there’s no doubt next time. So, we need to run it back.”
If Windsor Park lands the bout, it’ll join Barnsley FC’s Oakwell Stadium and Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road as football grounds hosting fights this year. Those venues are set for June 7, 2025, with Callum Simpson vs. Ivan Zucco and Fabio Wardley vs. Jarrell Miller.
Boxing News reached out to promoter Eddie Hearn for comment but received no response to our request.
