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Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Date and venue confirmed for Crocker-Donovan 2: ‘To fight at Windsor for a world title is a dream come true'
The 28-year-old from Sandy Row was speaking after promoters Matchroom announced that the eagerly awaited rematch between Crocker and Donovan would be staged at Northern Ireland's national football stadium with the IBF world welterweight title on the line. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Crocker admitted that he 'underperformed' in the controversial first bout at the SSE Arena in March, which ended with Donovan being disqualified, insisting that the public would see a much better performance this time around and that it was an event not to be missed. Crocker also outlined his fierce determination to become the latest boxing World Champion from Belfast following in the illustrious footsteps of the likes of Carl Frampton and Anthony Cacace. Frampton was the main man when Windsor last hosted boxing in 2018 with the Tigers Bay hero defeating Australian Luke Jackson. Crocker won on the undercard then but being top of the bill seven years on is dream come true stuff for him and his family. The fact that he will do so in the first ever all-Irish World title blockbuster makes it all the sweeter. Many boxers fantasise about performing in Vegas or in New York's iconic Madison Square Garden but for Crocker the south Belfast venue is where he wants to be. 'To fight at Windsor Park for a World title will be a dream,' said Crocker. 'It will be the first all-Irish fight for a World title so it's history as well. 'If you put me in an ideal situation as a kid and asked what I'd wished for that would have been it. 'I remember I would go out on a run and I would pass Windsor. I stopped at the stadium one day and looked at it and thought 'imagine fighting for a world title there'. The dream was always there. It is surreal now to think it is in touching distance. 'This is like my Madison Square Garden. This means everything to me and my family.' For Crocker, a fan of Linfield and Northern Ireland, the prospect of becoming a World Champion in a stadium within walking distance of his childhood home is something else. 'When I was younger it was great having Northern Ireland and Linfield playing at Windsor,' he said. 'My house is 10 minutes from here so me and my father would walk down to the stadium and my family and friends would come as well. 'Getting older I was away in camp a lot so I didn't get to as many games as I wanted to but when I come back it is always great. 'I was at Windsor when Linfield lifted the Gibson Cup last season and it was a cracking day. The atmosphere is always exceptional. 'I was lucky enough to fight on the last Windsor Park boxing bill when Carl Frampton fought and Tyson Fury was on the card. 'The atmosphere was exceptional and if we were to get that again it would be amazing.' The undefeated Crocker is well aware of the importance of boxing in Northern Ireland's sporting history. He is hungry to become the latest World Champion from his home city and is hoping to receive support from everyone here. 'Carl Frampton and Antony Cacace have won world titles and to follow names like that and become world champion would be a dream come true,' said Crocker. 'Northern Ireland always gets behind their own, especially in Belfast. Everyone shows up and supports. To have that for me would be incredible. 'It's Belfast v Limerick the way I see it. I got amazing support from the city in the last fight and hopefully I will continue to do so.' The first fight in March between Crocker and Donovan captured the imagination of boxing fans on the island and beyond. Donovan was ahead on the scorecards when he was adjudged to have punched Crocker after the bell to end the eighth round. The Limerick man had been deducted a point in the sixth round for use of the head and again in the eighth round before he knocked down Crocker late on in the same round. Going for the finish, the Limerick man threw a right hand after the bell sending Crocker to the canvas. Donovan thought he was victorious but referee Marcus McDonnell disqualified him declaring Crocker the winner which led to chaotic scenes in the ring. The Limerick man's team appealed the disqualification decision saying their man had not heard the bell at the end of the round, insisting the 10-second clapper was inaudible due to the deafening noise inside the SSE Arena and that the referee was out of position to step between the fighters at the bell. The appeal was successful with the IBF ordering a rematch. Crocker may have been declared the winner but when asked about his performance he delivered an honest assessment. 'There's no denying it, I well underperformed,' said Crocker. 'I'm a much better fighter than what I showed that night regardless of the illegal blows and whatever. Forget about that. I'm a far better fighter than that. 'I have a lot to prove to myself next time because I'm a lot better than that. 'Donovan threw the kitchen sink at me but I didn't really do the same to him so expect a different Lewis Crocker this time. 'Most people might see me as a massive underdog and feel I won't win but I'll take that every day. 'This is history and especially with how controversial the last fight was it makes the next one even bigger. There's rivalry between me and Donovan and it's a night not to be missed. 'I'm undefeated and I want to say that way. It's going to be a different Lewis Crocker without a doubt.' All this is a far cry from Crocker working in a nightclub and selling tickets for Belfast bus tours. Reflecting on his journey, he said: 'My older sister Alanna (Nihell who won bronze for Northern Ireland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games) boxed. Her and Katie Taylor were the first females to ever fight in Ireland so I followed in her footsteps. 'I always knew I wanted to be a boxer and reach the pinnacle of fighting for a world title and here I am. 'I had to work jobs in between boxing. I sold bus tours and worked in a nightclub. As much as you have your ups in boxing you have your downs as well. It's a rollercoaster ride. 'I'm 28 now and this is my 22nd professional fight coming up. It took a lot of years to get here. It goes to show for the next generation everything is possible because my dream was always to fight for a world title at Windsor Park so if I can do it anyone can.' Based in Scotland for training, Crocker reveals that his camp is going well. 'It's brilliant. Everything is going as planned. I've been back in Scotland since early May so I'll have a good hard camp for the next fight,' he says. Crocker, an amiable guy who speaks with passion about his boxing dreams, is managed by Jamie Conlan, once a brilliant, exciting fighter himself. 'Jamie has been more than a manager to me,' says Lewis. 'He has been a friend. When I was having troubled times and out with injury Jamie was there in each and every way. He has been my biggest supporter. If I ever need anything I'm straight on to Jamie and he sorts it in a heartbeat. I really appreciate Jamie. He is a friend for life.' The organisers were hoping to receive some public funding in relation to staging the world title fight at Windsor but have had no formal response from the NI Executive to date.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Taylor deserves place in Hall of Fame
Josh Taylor's accomplishment in becoming undisputed world champion should be recognised as "one of the great British sporting feats ever" and the Scot is deserving a place in boxing's Hall of Fame, according to Carl Frampton. The 34-year-old is retiring from the sport on medical grounds after a career in which he won Commonwealth Games silver and gold medals for Scotland, represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics and became the first – and so far only – male fighter from the UK to capture all four world titles in a single division. "Josh should be proud of everything he's done in his career, especially becoming an undisputed champion," former world champion Frampton said. Taylor 'sadly' announces retirement over eye issue Boxing schedule and results 2025 Watch every Born to Brawl episode "We see how much of a big deal it is that people make of the undisputed heavyweight champion when Oleksander Usyk beat Daniel Dubois at the weekend. Josh Taylor was undisputed in 18 fights - that's unbelievable. Hard to fathom, really. "So I think that's what people should remember Josh for. It literally doesn't happen unless you're someone like a Vasiliy Lomachenko or a Usyk or someone like that. That's the calibre of fighter that achieves this. "Josh Taylor becoming undisputed champion in 18 fights in a marquee division, not down at light-flyweight where nobody fights or anything like that, a marquee division, should be recognised as one of the great British sporting feats ever. "Undisputed light-welterweight champion in 18 fights is Hall of Fame behaviour, I think." Taylor and Frampton, a former two-weight world champion, trained alongside each other when both were under Shane McGuigan's wing, with the Scot making his professional debut on a show headlined by Frampton in Texas back in 2015. "I was there the whole way, pretty much," Frampton told BBC Scotland. "Josh is a great friend of mine and he's a good person as well. And he does a lot of good things behind the scenes, which people don't see. Josh is just a good fella. "I'm very, very proud that I was able to witness some of his greatness up close and personal." More boxing from the BBC Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Taylor deserves place in Hall of Fame
Josh Taylor's accomplishment in becoming undisputed world champion should be recognised as "one of the great British sporting feats ever" and the Scot is deserving a place in boxing's Hall of Fame, according to Carl 34-year-old is retiring from the sport on medical grounds after a career in which he won Commonwealth Games silver and gold medals for Scotland, represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics and became the first – and so far only – male fighter from the UK to capture all four world titles in a single division."Josh should be proud of everything he's done in his career, especially becoming an undisputed champion," former world champion Frampton said. "We see how much of a big deal it is that people make of the undisputed heavyweight champion when Oleksander Usyk beat Daniel Dubois at the weekend. Josh Taylor was undisputed in 18 fights - that's unbelievable. Hard to fathom, really."So I think that's what people should remember Josh for. It literally doesn't happen unless you're someone like a Vasiliy Lomachenko or a Usyk or someone like that. That's the calibre of fighter that achieves this."Josh Taylor becoming undisputed champion in 18 fights in a marquee division, not down at light-flyweight where nobody fights or anything like that, a marquee division, should be recognised as one of the great British sporting feats ever."Undisputed light-welterweight champion in 18 fights is Hall of Fame behaviour, I think."Taylor and Frampton, a former two-weight world champion, trained alongside each other when both were under Shane McGuigan's wing, with the Scot making his professional debut on a show headlined by Frampton in Texas back in 2015."I was there the whole way, pretty much," Frampton told BBC Scotland."Josh is a great friend of mine and he's a good person as well. And he does a lot of good things behind the scenes, which people don't see. Josh is just a good fella."I'm very, very proud that I was able to witness some of his greatness up close and personal."
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Kate Scott rocks bold outfit as DAZN presenter stuns in low-cut top for Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois
KATE SCOTT impressed with her presenting and her fashion choices as she fronted up DAZN's coverage of the Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois fight. Scott, previously known as Kate Abdo before her recent marriage to Malik Scott, was front and centre for the broadcast live from Wembley Stadium. 8 8 8 8 8 The experienced presenter and TV star stepped away from her usual gig as one of CBS Sports' Champions League broadcast stars to venture into boxing. Scott, 43, looked smart in front of the backdrop of the mega 90,000 seat venue as she sported a black and gold top, black trousers and some studded heels. While she was joined on the initial coverage by former two-weight world boxing champion Carl Frampton, who leant his boxing expertise to the show. Boxing icon Lennox Lewis also joined the lineup later in the coverage. 8 The trio were ready to bring fans action from a HUGE night of fighting as Usyk and Dubois prepare to do battle for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion. The bout reignited a rivalry between the pair after Dubois' controversial loss to the Ukrainian back in 2023. The Brit, who currently holds the IBF heavyweight title, will try and pull off a shock win to snatch Usyk's belts away from him in front of a roaring home crowd. Usyk remains strong favourite for the fight given his exceptional form in recent times, including victories over Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. 8 It's not just the main event that will catch the attention of fans either. Lawrence Okolie and Kevin Leren will face off in a battle for Okolie's WBC silver heavyweight title. And Southampton hitter Lewis Edmondson will try and take Daniel Lapin's IBF Intercontinental and WBA Continental light heavyweight titles away from him when the pair trade blows on the undercard. Derek Chisora stunned after finding out about Oleksandr Usyk's outrageous training regime ahead of Daniel Dubois fight 8
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
David Healy makes transfer funds admission ahead of lucrative Champions League clash
There's a lot at stake for Linfield as they prepare to face Shelbourne in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. Progress in Europe not only brings pride and prestige as the Irish League and League of Ireland champions face-off, but also a vital financial bonus. Advertisement That extra cash could prove vital for Blues' hopes of adding to their squad ahead of the new campaign. READ MORE: Holidaymakers warned of new alcohol rules in Spain with £2,500 fine risk READ MORE: 'Are you mental?' Carl Frampton confronts ringside doctor after controversial Catterall vs Eubank decision So far Sean Brown is the only summer arrival at Windsor Park after the club's significant January business of Kieran Offord, Callumn Morrison and Alex Gorrin, and David Healy admitted it's a case of wait and see for any more new recruits. "European football is important to all Irish League clubs, certainly ourselves," he said. Advertisement "I've been on record to say we are self-sustainable at Linfield. We don't have investment, we don't have investors. "People always throw out the old 'Linfield get money from the IFA'. I should hit that on my head by saying 'this is our house, we rent it out, we get paid for it like anyone would do' so first and foremost winning the league last season was huge and trying to progress through a Champions League round gives us possibilities of £675,000. "The main reason we invested in January was to give the players five or six months to get that familiarity with the club so I understand yes if we progress in Europe there may be more money and if we don't then we'll cut our cloth like we always do. "The opportunity to bring in the players in January may not have been there in the summer so we pushed hard." Advertisement Healy believes facing the Shels is the "toughest tie" could have got at this stage of the competition despite their recent managerial change. The Blues boss refused to be drawn on Damien Duff's departure from Tolka Park but he is bracing himself for a tough test on Wednesday night. He said: "It's a tough draw. Out of the possibles that we could have got personally I think it's the toughest. I would imagine Shelbourne being the unseeded team may be quite happy with the draw. "I saw them at Galway last week and at home to Derry City. They're a really, really good side. "Joey (O'Brien) has taken the job now and sometimes that leads to a formation change and you tweak it the way you want so I'll watch their game from Friday night and probably have a better understanding of what we are going to face." Advertisement It's not the first time Healy has faced League of Ireland opposition with Linfield after going down to a narrow 2-1 aggregate defeat to Cork City in the Europa League qualifiers back in 2016. 'It was my first season and it was a really tough fixture as Cork had huge investment at the time," he recalled. '(All-Ireland derbies) provide all action and are not their typical European fixture."
