For the first time ever, two Irish fighters faced each other for a world title, and it happened at Windsor Park in Belfast, for the vacant IBF welterweight belt left behind by Ennis. Paddy Donovan “The Real Deal” came in with a record of 14 wins (11 KOs) and 1 loss, while Lewis Crocker was undefeated at 21-0 (11 KOs). The evening, promoted by Matchroom Boxing, ended with Crocker taking a split decision victory (114-112 and 114-113 in his favor, and 115-111 for Donovan).
The stadium was packed, the atmosphere was electric. Donovan made his entrance to the notes of Zombie by The Cranberries, while Crocker had a triumphant walkout to Sweet Caroline, completely shifting the energy in the arena. It was certainly a historic event between the two countrymen. Crocker looked more relaxed than Donovan, and considering he had won their first face-off, tonight was expected to be Donovan’s chance for revenge.
When the main event bell rang, both fighters engaged in a tense and cautious feeling-out round, with neither landing anything significant.
In the second round, Crocker tried to use his lead hand to prevent Donovan from establishing his jab and continued to circle around. Donovan attempted to press forward, but very cautiously. The fight was highly tactical, with few punches thrown so far—more like a chess match than an all-Irish brawl.
In the third, what had been looming finally happened: Donovan pressed forward, but Crocker caught him with a counter left hook off the ropes, flooring him.
Halfway through the fourth, both men landed simultaneous shots that left them staggered. Seconds later, Crocker once again connected with a left hook, shaking Donovan and unlocking the fight’s intensity.
The fifth round saw an increase in pace from both men. The exchanges became more frequent, and toward the end of the round Donovan was dropped again, once more by Crocker’s left hook.
Knowing he was behind on the scorecards, Donovan came out in the sixth determined to attack, though wary of Crocker’s counters. He carried that same approach into the seventh and eighth rounds, which he likely won with effective pressure, smart aggression, and better use of his lead foot positioning—finally finding the timing and space that Crocker’s jab and lateral movement had been denying him.
The ninth round featured the return of Crocker’s left hook, but otherwise it remained a tactical affair. Donovan seemed to be steering the fight toward his rhythm and style, thanks also to sharp corner advice that adjusted his tactics mid-fight.
The tenth round finally brought more action, with both fighters exchanging hooks and uppercuts, fueled by the urgency of the final stretch and the pride of fighting in this historic Irish world-title derby.
In the eleventh, the tide appeared to shift: while Crocker had looked stronger early, Donovan’s composure and conditioning seemed to take over.
The twelfth and final round was the liveliest of the fight, with both men finally engaging in a true head-to-head battle. Crocker landed hard shots, Donovan maintained his pace, and everything was left in the hands of the judges.
All in all, expectations were perhaps higher for such a historic Irish clash, especially with a world title on the line in Belfast. The fight was extremely tactical: Donovan suffered a rough start with damaging counters that nearly broke him, but he rallied impressively, changing the rhythm of the bout—even if the judges didn’t see it in his favor.
The atmosphere was magnificent, the event captivating, but given this was for an IBF belt vacated by a truly elite fighter, one has to wonder: after tonight, can Crocker really compete with the top welterweights across the ocean? I find it hard to believe—for now—but I hope he proves me wrong when his chance comes.