Irish rivals Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will rematch for the vacant IBF Welterweight World Title at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast on Saturday, September 13, shown live worldwide on DAZN.
The historic clash will be the first time two boxers from the island of Ireland have come together in a World Title fight, which takes place at the 18,500 capacity home of the Northern Ireland football team.
The first meeting between these bitter rivals in March was a Final Eliminator for the IBF World Title and ended in highly controversial fashion with Belfast’s Crocker taking the win by disqualification at the raucous SSE Arena.
Limerick’s Donovan, who had twice previously been deducted points, was disqualified at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell. ‘The Real Deal’ was well ahead on all three judge’s scorecards and dominating before his disappointing disqualification, which caused chaotic confusion having briefly celebrated a win.
An appeal from Donovan’s team about the noise in the arena causing the bell to be unheard resulted in the IBF agreeing to a rematch which would again serve as a Final Eliminator for the World Title, but with Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis moving up to Super-Welterweight, the huge return will now be for the vacant World Title.
“This is the fight I’ve wanted since the final bell of the first one,” said Crocker. “To run it back for the IBF World Title — and to do it such an iconic stadium in Belfast, in front of my own people — is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life.
“This isn’t just a rematch. It’s my chance to silence the doubters and prove I’m the best welterweight in the world. I know exactly what I need to do — and on fight night, I’m leaving with that World Title,” ‘The Croc’ convicted.
“It’s going to be a great atmosphere in Belfast on fight night,” said ‘The Real Deal’ Donovan. “I’m looking to repeat another stellar boxing performance, set the record straight and come home with a World Title. I can’t wait!”
“This is absolutely huge – the first ever all-Irish World Title fight,” said Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn. “The first meeting between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan had it all – an electric build-up, guts, knockdowns and a hugely controversial ending. That drama-filled night in March has set the rematch up perfectly, and September 13 promises to be even bigger and better.
“We expect a sell-out crowd at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast and one of the best atmospheres you’ve ever witnessed in Irish boxing – you do not want to miss this one. The first boxing event at Windsor Park since Irish icon 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. Watch it live around the world only on DAZN.”
“This is a monumental occasion — the first ever all-Irish World Title fight,” said Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan. “The controversy surrounding the first bout, combined with the fact that it’s taking place at Northern Ireland’s national stadium, takes an already massive fight and makes it truly historic.
“Lewis Crocker lives just a stone’s throw from Windsor and has followed Linfield Football Club since he was a boy, so for his first World Title fight to be held at the stadium is something out of a dream. This isn’t just a fight — it’s a moment in Irish boxing history, and Lewis is ready to seize it.”
