BELFAST fighter Lewis Crocker edged out Limerick native Paddy Donovan during a tense night at Windsor Park to claim the vacant IBF world welterweight title on Saturday.
The pair were meeting for the second time after Crocker claimed victory in March in unorthodox fashion when the dominant Donovan was disqualified for striking his opponent after the bell at the end of the eighth.
However, Crocker will feel he has silenced his doubters after claiming a split decision victory in his home town last night.
"Nobody gave me a chance in that fight, absolutely nobody. I was a massive underdog," said Crocker afterwards.
Cagey opening
It was a cagey opening as both men sized each other up in the first two rounds, Donovan with a few decent combos in the second while Crocker responded with a decent hook.
However, the fight sparked into life a minute into the third when Crocker countered a Donovan attack with a neat left hook to floor the Limerick man for the first time in his career.
While the round went to Crocker, Donovan responded well and continued on the front foot in the fourth, using his left well, although Crocker countered with a sharp left of his own.
Donovan upped the tempo in the fifth, forcing Crocker onto the ropes with some neat combos, however, the Belfast fighter continued to defend well.
Lewis Crocker, left, and Paddy Donovan during their IBF world welterweight title bout at Windsor Park in Belfast (Image: Ramsey Cardy / Sportsfile via Getty Images)The Real Deal was then left reeling in the dying seconds of what looked a comfortable round as Crocker soaked up a flurry of jabs before pouncing with a strong left counter that floored Donovan for a second time.
He unsurprisingly looked a little cagey as the next round got underway but with two 10-8 rounds in Crocker's favour, Donovan once again took the initiative as he attempted to take control of the contest.
He continued to probe, forcing Crocker back but the Belfast man soaked up the pressure well, countering smartly when the opportunity presented itself.
Donovan edged the ensuring rounds, landing the lion's share of punches but where he was prolific, Crocker was economical, his powerful, well-timed hits proving effective.
The crowning moment for @lewiscrocker1 👑#CrockerDonovan2 pic.twitter.com/k7TDgDGSt1
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The contest continued in that vein until the final bell, Donovan continuing to take the fight to Crocker but perhaps wary of going for broke.
Despite knowing what was on the line, Donovan was no doubt aware that Crocker was capable of countering with a third knockdown that would all but scupper his title hopes.
As the final bell went, the question was whether the Limerick man had done enough to come back from those knockdowns.
Sadly for Donovan, the decision went Crocker's way, with two judges scoring it 114-112 and 114-113 in his favour and the third scoring it 115-111 for Donovan.
'Lucrative opportunities'
Donovan looked devastated at the result with his corner and the travelling supporters clearly feeling he had done enough to claim victory.
However, after defeat by the narrowest of margins, any hopes of a rematch and the chance to best Crocker at the third time of asking appeared to be scuppered by promoter Eddie Hearn.
He instead talked up the possibility of a lucrative fight for Crocker against fellow Matchroom fighter, Conor Benn.
Should that not transpire, Hearn suggested Crocker could face Rolando Romero or Devin Haney if the latter can win his upcoming fight against WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr.
"Like I said previously, if Paddy wins tonight, he's looking for the big fights and the most lucrative opportunities," said Hearn.
"The rematch is a big fight of the trilogy but it's not as big as some of the other opportunities out there, being honest.
"I think Paddy will get his shot again and we will make sure we give him a big fight — he's a quality fighter."
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