Latest news with #LewisCrocker
BBC News
16 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Crocker rejects Donovan's 'dive' claims
Lewis Crocker dismissed Paddy Donovan assertion that he "took a dive" in their first fight when they met on Monday to launch their IBF World welterweight rematch on 13 September at Belfast's Windsor Crocker won the first fight between the pair in March by way of disqualification with Donovan thrown out at the eighth round for punching after the bell of what was a world title to the ending, the Limerick man had been deducted points in the sixth and eight rounds for fouls but also scored a legitimate knockdown just prior to the late shot that forced referee Marcus McDonnell to issue the ultimate punishment dropped Crocker who was awarded the win and a shot at then champion Jaron 'Boots' following an appeal by Donovan's team, the IBF granted a rematch and with Ennis opting to vacate the title to move up to the light-middleweight division, the vacant belt will be on the line when Crocker and Donovan meet in the first all-Irish world title fight in history at the home of Northern Ireland football. 'It couldn't have worked out better' - Donovan The fighters met at Windsor Park on Monday for a media call to launch their second fight before moving to a press conference in the city where Donovan accused his rival of making the most of the late punch in March."It couldn't have panned out any better for me after the controversy after the first fight," said the 26-year-old who suffered his first career blemish due to the disqualification."The IBF ruled in our favour to get this world title over the line and I'm happy to be back in Belfast. I can't wait to get in there on 13 September and put on a show."You can ask Lewis if he took a dive or I knocked him out after the bell. I think he took a dive to get me disqualified. I'd been winning every round and was in a comfortable position, so the only way for Lewis to get the win was by taking a dive."After the last fight, my confidence is only growing and I can get the knockout this time." 'I have to be much better in the rematch' - Crocker Crocker insisted a rematch is warranted and he was keen to make it happen, but nonetheless, is adamant the right call was made at the end of their first 28-year-old put his performance in March down to "an off night" but acknowledges he will go into the rematch as an outsider after opinions were split before their first accepts he will need a much better performance to leave no room for debate this time around but shot down Donovan's jibes by saying his rival simply paid the price for breaking the rules."I agreed with the decision, but also agreed there should be a rematch," he said."He didn't knock me out. My eye was shut and I was in trouble at that stage. Paddy made the mistake and paid for it."Crocker added he will be a "massive underdog" this time around."Nobody wanted the fight to end like that, including myself, and I know I'm a lot better fighter than what I showed. The next day, I rang Jamie (Conlan, manager) and told him to get the rematch sorted."Everything has worked out. We were fighting in an eliminator originally, but now it's for the title. It's everything I've dreamed of since I was a kid and all I've ever wanted."I have to be better. Paddy is a great fighter and showed that in the last fight. I'm a massive underdog in this fight - nobody's expecting me to win. To pull off the win, it would be the stuff of dreams."
Belfast Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Crocker-Donovan 2 promoters still awaiting conformation of Executive funding for Windsor Park showdown
The promoters of the historic All-Ireland World title fight between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park have yet to receive an official response from First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly about the possibility of public funding for the event despite writing to them three and a half weeks ago.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former UFC star to make professional boxing debut on Crocker v Donovan 2 card
Former UFC star Molly McCann will make her professional boxing debut on the huge Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan 2 card in Belfast. The Liverpool native, who ended her MMA career in March with a record of 14 wins and eight defeats, has signed with Matchroom Boxing. "It was just the right time to leave the sport of MMA so I chose to leave the sport knowing I had a career waiting for me in boxing," McCann said earlier this month. "The boxing pedigree is there. I was in and out of the boxing gym growing up because I like to fight and like to punch. I can just go. I will fight anyone, wherever, whenever." Promoter Eddie Hearn added at the time: "She'll compete now as a boxer and about time, I'd like to say as well, a former ABA champion, everyone knows the ability as a boxer, obviously been a massive star within the UFC and built her profile globally as well. "We're delighted to start the journey, delighted she chose Matchroom, going to be fighting all around the world and there are going to be some massive nights. We want to keep her nice and active." McCann will make her debut on September 13 at Windsor Park against a yet to be named opponent. A number of bouts for the Belfast show were announced on Friday, including a big co-main event between destructive Light-Middleweight sensation Ishamel Davis and Belfast's own Caoimhín Agyarko.. Caoimhin Agyarko (Image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom) Agyarko stepped in for Davis back in April when injury scuppered his fight with Ryan Kelly – which the Irish fighter duly came through with a majority decision points win. But Davis will be looking to get back to winning ways having featured last on successive Riyadh Season cards in London and in the Saudi capital respectively in which he went the distance against Josh Kelly last September at short notice, before falling to WBC ranked No.1 Serhii Bohachuk last December. 'The Mighty Celt' Tyrone McKenna is another popular homegrown addition to the card as the Welterweight, who in 2023 fell to a unanimous decision to Lewis Crocker – faces a familiar foe in Dylan Moran. The duo collided last December in Waterford where McKenna celebrated an early stoppage, and he'll be looking to repeat his triumph over his fellow Southpaw when they lock horns once again. Cruiserweight sensation Pat Brown, meanwhile, will fight inside a stadium setting for the first time when the popular Team GB Olympian travels across the Irish Sea from Manchester. Brown – labelled by promoter Eddie Hearn as "one of the most exciting fighters in the world' – has enjoyed a sterling start to life in the professional ranks with the 6ft 6in powerhouse blasting his way to a flawless 3-0 start with a hat-trick of knockouts since he turned over last March. And another rising, unbeaten British charge in Aaron Bowen joins Brown on the card as the 6-0 (4 KOs) Coventry Middleweight looks to continue his impressive ascent up the rankings. 'We expect a sell-out crowd for this historic night in Belfast and one of the best atmospheres you've ever witnessed in Irish boxing – you do not want to miss this,' said Matchroom Sport chairman, Eddie Hearn. 'It is the first boxing event at the stadium since the iconic Carl Frampton headlined here back in 2018, and the main event couldn't be more fitting. Two of the best Welterweights in the world battling it out for the IBF World Title – and now we have a blockbuster undercard too.'
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
All-Irish world title fight confirmed for Windsor Park in Belfast
Limerick 's Paddy Donovan and Belfast's Lewis Crocker will fight for the IBF welterweight title in a bout being billed as the first all-Irish world title fight. The bout is set for September 13th in Windsor Park, Belfast . It will be a rematch of their fight in March, when Donovan was disqualified for flooring Crocker with a punch after the bell sounded in the eighth round. The winner will join Katie Taylor as the only other Irish world champion in professional boxing . In a social media post announcing the fight, Donovan said: 'I'm looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight and come home with a world title.' READ MORE Meanwhile, Crocker said he wanted to 'silence the doubters' who did not accept the outcome of their clash in March. In their first encounter, the 26-year-old Donovan (14-1, 11KOs) appeared to be winning more of the rounds and was gathering momentum over Crocker (21-0, 11KOs) as the fight wore on. However, the pair continually clashed heads, partly due to the orthodox-southpaw matchup. Donovan was docked two points by referee Marcus McDonnell for headbutting, with Crocker's face wearing most of the damage. With 20 second left in the eighth round, Donovan knocked down Crocker with a left uppercut, but he beat the count and the fight resumed. With the crowd at fever pitch, the bell rang for the end of the session, but Donovan appeared not to hear it and knocked his foe down with a right hook. The referee was standing a few paces away when the bell went and disqualified Donovan for the late hit. While the victorious Crocker received oxygen in his corner, Donovan was furious and broke down in tears across the ring. With the win, Crocker (28) became the mandatory challenger for the IBF welterweight title, which champion Jaron Ennis vacated in June, meaning the belt is up for grabs this time around. Donovan, nicknamed Real Deal, is coached by former world champion Andy Lee, who has proved to be an excellent trainer in guiding Joseph Parker back to the brink of a heavyweight world title fight. A win for the Limerick pair would make Donovan the first world champion coached by Lee, who trains world class fighters out of Ballybrack Boxing Club. Promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, the fight will be broadcast on streaming service DAZN.
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
All-Ireland world title fight confirmed for Windsor Park in Belfast
Limerick's Paddy O'Donovan and Belfast's Lewis Crocker will fight for the IBF welterweight title in Belfast for their rematch in September. The bout is set for September 13th in Windsor Park, Belfast. Advertisement In their first fight, Donovan was disqualified for a late punch on Crocker after the eighth round. The Limerick fighter was winning the fight before the disqualification, and had knocked down Crocker with 20 seconds left of the eighth round. Following the bout, Crocker was set to challenge Jaron Ennis for the IBF title. However, following Ennis's decision to move up to 154 pounds, it means there will be a new Irish world champion in September. In a social media post announcing the fight, Donovan said: 'I'm looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight and come home with a world title.' Promoted by Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing, the fight will be broadcast on streaming service DAZN.
