Battered and bruised Lewis Crocker claimed a disqualification victory over a distraught Paddy Donovan on a night of drama, controversy, and recriminations in Belfast.
Crocker is now the mandatory challenger for the IBF welterweight title and moves on to 21-0 (11 KOs) as a professional, but those bare facts only tell a fraction of the story.
High-intensity close-quarter exchanges soon began to break the way of classy southpaw Donovan, and Crocker was cut over the right eye in round three. Referee Marcus McDonnell ruled that damage was caused by a punch and later said likewise for swelling under Crocker's left eye.
Nevertheless, he warned Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) twice for use of the head and deducted a point in round six.
Another head clash in round seven preceded the dramatic denouement in the final minute of the eighth. Donovan lost a second point for headbutts and got back to work, decking Crocker with a clean right hand to the temple behind the left glove.
WATCH: Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan replay on DAZN
When the Belfast favourite rose, the two traded, each scoring with heavy shots. Limerick man Donavan sensed the finish but battered Crocker to the canvas with a right hook that landed clearly after the bell.
That was one foul too many for McDonnell, who waved the fight off. Donovan initially celebrated a presumed knockout victory before it became clear he had been disqualified. Then the tears flowed as, in the other corner, Crocker received oxygen and medical attention before celebrating his victory in low-key fashion.
"It's unfortunate that the fight ended like that, certainly I didn't want the fight to end like that," said Crocker in the ring afterwards. "I heard the bell, I can't see because I've been getting hit with the head all night, I dropped my hands and that's what caused the knockdown. That's not the way I'd want to win a fight."
The victor stopped short of offering Donovan an immediate rematch, but that is unquestionably the conversation that will dominate the aftermath.
McDonnell will also find himself under the spotlight after arguably stationing himself too far away from the action as the fighters unloaded during the closing seconds, meaning he was in no position to prevent the late shot landing.
However, the fact Donovan's foul did not occur in isolation meant he was foolish to sail so close to the win on a night of high emotions for those inside and outside the ring.
"I'd won every single round. I dropped Lewis, I was going to win the fight fair and square and the ref took my dreams away tonight," a visibly distraught Donovan said. "I knocked him out. We're going to appeal the decision and we want an automatic rematch."
Mark Robinson, Matchroom
Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan full card results
- Paddy Donovan def. Paddy Donovan (DQ 8/12); Welterweights
- Craig Richards def. Padraig McCrory (TKO 8/10); Light Heavyweights
- Kurt Walker def. Leon Woodstock (MD 10); Featherweights
- Steven Ward def. Tommy McCarthy (TKO 6/10); Cruiserweights
- Ruadhan Farrell def. Gerard Hughes (PTS 8); Super Bantamweights
- Elif Nur Turhan def. Shauna Browne (TKO 1/10); Lightweights
- Jack O'Neill def. Mohammed Wako (PTS 4); Super Bantamweights
- Aaron Bowen def. Juan Cruz Cacheiro (PTS 6); Super Middleweights
Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan tune-in info
- Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Location: Odyssey Arena - Belfast, UK
- Time: 5 p.m. GMT | 12 p.m. ET | 9 a.m. PT
- Main event start time (approx.): 10 p.m. GMT | 5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT
- Live stream: DAZN
The Lewis Crocker vs. Paddy Donovan fight card will be available via DAZN. A DAZN monthly subscription costs £9.99 in the UK on a 12-month contract, or £19.99 month-to-month. An annual subscription will cost £99.99 in the U.K.
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