There was a lot of hype around Crocker’s bout with Donovan at the SSE Arena in March, but few could have expected it to turn out as it did. Both fighters were undefeated heading into the IBF title eliminator and, after a lively start, Donovan started to impose himself on the bout. Crocker, from Northern Ireland, was struggling with a cut above his right eye from the third round as ‘Real Deal’ Donovan moved ahead on the scorecards. However, things took a turn when Donovan was docked a point for using his elbow in the sixth round, and the Irish fighter lost another point in the the eighth for using his head.Things then came to a sudden conclusion as Donovan sent Crocker to the canvas and had started to celebrate, but that was cut short when referee Marcus McDonnell disqualified the Limerick fighter for landing the blow after the bell.It was a controversial end to a dramatic night of boxing, and now they will get to do it all over again. The disqualification was the first defeat of Donovan’s career, while Lewis Crocker extended his unbeaten record to 21 wins, with 11 knockouts.The IBF granted a rematch for the eliminator after Donovan’s camp appealed against the result, and that was upgraded to a full title fight after Ennis moved up to super-welterweight.
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Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan: Coverage details ahead of Windsor Park world title fight
