Crocker to box for 'all of Belfast' in Donovan bout
Lewis Crocker says support from "all" of his native Belfast will help him overcome Limerick man Paddy Donovan in the all-Irish IBF world welterweight eliminator on Saturday night. In the build-up to the contest at Belfast's SSE Arena, Donovan appeared to make a play for support from Belfast fight fans by reportedly referring to Crocker as being a "Rangers fan".Donovan's coach former world middleweight champion Andy Lee moved to "squash" the issue at the start of Wednesday's pre-fight press conference in Belfast."Paddy was asked about Lewis being a Rangers fan…..it was taken out of context in the headline," said Lee."That's not what it's about for us. These are two great fighters and you're in a for a treat."Crocker wasn't convinced by Lee's explanation. "He doesn't realise I represent all of Belfast. I'm from Sandy Row but I boxed for Holy Trinity," said Crocker, who like Donovan, has an unbeaten record going into the world title eliminator."It's not like that in Belfast – especially in sport. I think he knows he messed up and all of Belfast is behind me."
'Donovan meant to be superstar'
The contest is a battle between two unbeaten fighters with Donovan's boxing skills making him a marginal favourite to add to his 14 career wins. However Crocker, who has won all his 20 fights and secured 11 knockout victories in the process, has vowed to end the Limerick man's unblemished record in emphatic fashion."My record will be 21 and 0 and with 12 KOs after Saturday believe me," added the 28-year-old."Paddy was signed by Matchroom before me and he's meant to be the next superstar but while he was fighting on big cards, I was out of the ring dealing with problems and I just slowly built my way back up here. He's in for the shock of his life on Saturday."Crocker added that sparring with former undisputed world light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor has helped prepare him for the challenge of taking on tricky southpaw Donovan.Donovan, meanwhile, has trained alongside New Zealand's former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in his build-up to Saturday's contest. "I'm in the best shape of my life. I've had an amazing camp with Joseph Parker and I'm ready now in Belfast to put on a show."
First Belfast bill since Cooney death
Saturday's bill be the first professional boxing card in Belfast since the tragic death of Galway fighter John Cooney earlier this month after he sustained an intracranial haemorrhage in a bill at the Ulster Hall.Promoter Eddie Hearn said the Cooney will be remembered at Saturday's bill which is already close to an 8,000 capacity sell-out."It's a sport that provides great opportunities for young people but it is a dangerous sport," added Hearn."Great fighters like John Cooney must always be remembered and we must always keep evolving as a sport. Saturday is a celebration of that sport which will be done in the right way."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
36 minutes ago
- BBC News
Diomande nets winning Ivory Coast penalty against Canada
Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande scored the winning spot-kick for Ivory Coast in a 5-4 penalty shootout victory against the Canadian Shield winners, Canada were guaranteed to be crowned the inaugural winners of the invitational tournament by forcing the penalties after a 0-0 draw with bottom-side, Ivory Coast, who lost 1-0 to New Zealand three days Diomande, 23, fired the decisive fifth penalty under Canadian goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair just after 23:00 local time.
STV News
an hour ago
- STV News
Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is looking forward to running out at the Allianz Stadium to the roar of Bath's sell-out support rather than with the jeers of England fans ringing in his ears. The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Punters dramatically lose faith in Rory McIlroy in wake of his astonishingly honest US Open confession
Rorymania is in short supply in Pennsylvania as the toughest venue in golf causes punters to panic Grand-slam golfing hero Rory McIlroy has watched his odds to win the US Open plummet hours after he admitted to a disastrous practice round at unforgiving Oakmont. The Masters champion confessed he shot an 81 during a scouting mission at the feared venue in Pennsylvania where the unforgiving rough and fiendishly difficult pin positions can make a fool out of the world's best. McIlroy robustly defended his scorecard which included two birdies on the 17th and 18th, however, faith among punters is on the wane with the Irishman now third in betting markets behind PGA winner Scottie Scheffler and defending US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau – the man who dramatically extended McIlroy's then 10-year wait for Major glory. And bookies admit Rorymania is in short supply as oddsmakers adjust their market forecast ahead of the action getting underway on Thursday with Scotland's Bob MacIntyre catching the eye. Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: 'Following his first missed cut of the season at the RBC Canadian Open, Rory McIlroy has drifted in the US Open outright market from 8/1 to 11/1, behind favourite Scottie Scheffler (13/5) and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (7/1). 'While McIlroy has drifted, others in the market have shortened – we've seen some late support come in for Ludvig Aberg, who we've cut to 20/1 from 25/1. 'Jon Rahm and Xander Schauffele remain steady in the betting, priced 11/1 and 20/1 respectively. Further down the market, the British trio of Tommy Fleetwood (30/1), Justin Rose (60/1) and Bob MacIntyre (70/1) have been popular picks among punters before play gets underway at Oakmont Country Club.' Scottie Scheffler 13/5 Bryson DeChambeau 7/1 Rory McIlroy 11/1 Jon Rahm 11/1 Ludvig Aberg 20/1 Xander Schauffele 22/1 BAR 22/1 You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to your phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
