Eddie Hearn calls on Stormont to back ‘iconic' Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan rematch at Windsor Park
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has asked the Stormont Executive to help create 'an iconic moment' in Northern Irish sporting history by supporting the bid to stage the rematch between Belfast's Lewis Crocker and Limerick's Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed yesterday that talks to host the bout at the famous Belfast football ground were at an advanced stage, with Sports Minister Gordon Lyons involved in discussions.
Hearn has urged the Stormont Executive to provide support for the event, which is pencilled in for mid-September.
'I can tell you that Windsor Park is definitely not on at this moment, but there are conversations that are taking place,' Hearn said.
'My message to the Government is let's bring a sporting event to Belfast that has huge significance.
'Let's create an atmosphere and an occasion that everyone can get behind. Let's put on a card full of Irish talent.
'Because there is nothing like an outdoor event in boxing. If that fight gets made for the world welterweight title, it's an iconic moment for sport in Northern Ireland, and all of Ireland.'
The Matchroom promoter, who represents both fighters, is also confident that the IBF welterweight world title will be on the line with reigning champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis expected to vacate the belt and move up to super-welterweight.
The addition of the world title will add extra heat to an already spicy event. At the SSE Arena in March, Sandy Row boxer Crocker was awarded the victory after Donovan was disqualified for throwing a punch after the bell.
Hearn told IFL TV: 'If Boots moves up to 154lb which has definite potential to happen, then Lewis Crocker will fight Paddy Donovan for the world welterweight title in Ireland, which will be one of the biggest events the country has seen for a long time.
'The winner of that bout will put themselves in a position to fight the biggest names in the sport. We will have to see what happens, but I'd love to do it outdoors.'
Crocker's manager Jamie Conlan also wants to see the fight staged at Windsor Park.
He said: 'We are still working on Windsor. We are committed to try and bring a fight of this magnitude to Windsor Park. I believe that this is a bigger fight than the SSE Arena, especially if we get the world title over the line. This is a fight that should be on a bigger stage, and a bigger stage as in an outdoor arena or outdoor venue.
'We have two dates pencilled in with the SSE Arena. There was a fantastic atmosphere there in March.
'It was like a cauldron, like it always is there. No doubt it would be another fantastic night, but I just think the two best fighters in the country potentially fighting for a world title should be in a big outdoor arena.
'Windsor is a stone's throw from Lewis' house. It's where he's watched Linfield and where he's seen Northern Ireland play. To headline there, in front of a home crowd, in a fight of this magnitude would be a dream come true for him.'
The head of Conlan Boxing believes the fight would be one of the biggest nights in Irish boxing history.
He told Irish Boxing: 'If this is for a world title, it's the biggest all-Irish fight ever. We've had big domestic fights, but this is a legitimate world title on the line between two undefeated fighters at the peak of their powers.'
In the first fight, billed as a final eliminator to face Ennis, Donovan was ahead on the scorecards when he was adjudged to have punched Crocker after the bell to end the eighth round.
Donovan thought he was victorious but referee Marcus McDonnell disqualified him, declaring Crocker the winner, which led to chaotic scenes in the ring.
Donovan's team successfully appealed the disqualification with the IBF ordering an immediate rematch, though Conlan had stated a rematch was always on the agenda at his fighter's request.
March's fight was marred by a mass brawl in the stands at the SSE Arena.
The Belfast Telegraph contacted the PSNI about the possibility of the rematch being staged at Windsor Park, but they did not want to comment before the event was confirmed.
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