Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan rematch terms agreed as Eddie Hearn gives update

Irish Daily Mirror

10 hours ago

Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will collide in the first ever all-Irish world title fight this September in Belfast, promoter Eddie Hearn has confirmed.
The Matchroom boss says terms have been agreed for the mega-bout to take place six months on since the pair did battle at the SSE Arena in the city - and the IBF world welterweight title will be on the line.
A sell-out crowd of 8,500 packed into the SSE back in March and the historic rematch could take place at Windsor Park, with a final decision on the venue expected next week.
"Terms are agreed. Venue-wise, we hope to make a decision next week," Hearn told the Irish Mirror. "We want September at Windsor Park. We're doing everything we can to make it happen.
"I mean, for two Irishmen to fight for the world welterweight title, we're never going to get it again. We're all systems go."
Crocker was called the winner in controversial circumstances back in March when Donovan was disqualified after punching the Belfast man after the bell at the end of the eighth round.
The Limerick southpaw had dominated the bout up to that stage, but had points deducted for use of the elbow and head in the sixth and eighth rounds by referee Marcus McDonnell.
Donovan's trainer and former WBO world middleweight champion Andy Lee was very critical of the man in the middle afterwards, labelling his performance a "disgrace".
That fight was an eliminator for the IBF title, currently held by Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, who Hearn also promotes.
After an appeal was lodged from Donovan's team over the manner of the decision, the IBF ordered a rematch which again was to be a final eliminator.
However, American Ennis is set to vacate the belt and move up to the light-middleweight division.
And Hearn says the title will be on the line when the pair collide again, meaning it will be the first ever all-Irish world championship fight.
Frank Smith, Matchroom CEO, visited Windsor Park last week to get a look at the venue that previously hosted a boxing event when Carl Frampton defeated Luke Jackson in 2018.
Smith met with officials from the Irish Football Association (IFA) and said he is hopeful the NI Executive can help "in some way" with the event.