Paddy Donovan and Lewis Crocker have taken a huge step toward historic world title fight
Lewis Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) and Paddy Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) promoter, Eddie Hearn, has confirmed the path to an IBF welterweight world title rematch has been made clear by another of his fighters.
The fierce Limerick and Belfast rivals are due to rematch their March clash this Autumn and are close to agreeing on an eagerly anticipated return.
The IBF ordered the rerun immediately after the first fight in March as an IBF world title eliminator with the winner awarded a shot at the champion, Jaron Ennis.
Their first grudge match ended via a controversial disqualification after Donovan landed punches after the bell sounded to signal the end of round eight, despite being very difficult to hear due to the noise of the crowd.
However, speaking on Thursday, Matchroom CEO Hearn confirmed that the rematch looks set for an upgrade.
In separate interviews, Hearn confirmed “Boots” Ennis will move up to super-welterweight and therefore vacate his WBA, IBF, and Ring titles, and that would mean the number one and two ranked fighters, Crocker and Donovan, would challenge for the vacant IBF strap.
If things do align and a proposed September or October showdown is for the IBF strap, Donovan-Crocker II will be the first ever all-Irish title fight in boxing history.
Speaking to Irish-boxing.com recently, Jamie Conlan, manager of 2The Croc”, said if a world title was at stake, the fight would become the biggest domestic Irish fight of all time. The former world title challenger also said the fight was worthy of Windsor Park and urged for it to be hosted outdoors.