The eagerly awaited rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan is set for September 13th in Belfast. Northern Ireland’s Crocker will take on Donovan in the Republic of Ireland at Windsor Park Stadium, battling for the vacant IBF welterweight title. This showdown follows Crocker’s dramatic victory in their first fight, an IBF title eliminator held in Belfast back in March. This bout will be historic as it marks the first contest for an All-Ireland world title.
In their initial clash, Donovan was controversially disqualified for striking Crocker after the bell at the conclusion of the eighth round, with additional point deductions for using his elbow and head during the match. Frustrated by the judgment, Donovan claimed he didn’t hear the bell due to the intense atmosphere at SSE Arena and later appealed the ruling. Following this, the IBF mandated a rematch after the previous champion, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, vacated the title to move up to junior middleweight.
Donovan expressed excitement for the event, promising to deliver another strong performance and aiming to claim the world title on home soil. Crocker, meanwhile, sees this as a chance to definitively settle any doubts from their first fight and prove himself as the top welterweight in the world, especially in front of his Belfast supporters at such an iconic venue.
Fan Take: This rematch is a must-watch for fight fans because it combines fierce regional pride with high stakes—a true test of skill and spirit in the welterweight division. The outcome could not only crown a new champion but also ignite even greater interest in boxing across Ireland and beyond.
