Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker Rematch: IBF Decision

On March 1 at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker headlined a Matchroom Boxing card. It was a dramatic main event full of mesmerising boxing and point deductions. Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) was well on top in the fight, but ultimately disqualified dramatically at the end of round eight, after landing a huge shot after the bell, knocking Crocker down. There was an immediate call from Team Donovan for a rematch and the IBF have now revealed their stance.

Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker: IBF Orders Rematch

Team Donovan Reacts to IBF Ruling

Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker ended in controversy with team Donovan furious with Referee Marcus McDonnell disqualifying their fighter. The winner of their first fight was set to be in pole position to face IBF welterweight champion Jaron Ennis. Despite the unsatisfactory end, it was a dominating performance from “The Real Deal,” who was in front on all three scorecards, 69-63 x2 and 67-65 at the time of the disqualification.

It became apparent immediately after the fight that Team Donovan would appeal and his co-manager Keith Sullivan announced the success of their appeal via a press release: “I am very happy that the IBF agreed with my arguments and evidence, they made the right decision under the rules. The rematch will be even bigger than the first fight. The crowd and fans around the globe absolutely loved it; the atmosphere in the arena was electric. It was a great promotion put on by Matchroom and it is unfortunate it ended as it did, but now Paddy will set the record straight and continue his quest for a world title.”

Interestingly, the press release mentioned that DAZN footage showed no audible 10-second warning from the timekeeper, and McDonnell did not position himself near enough to separate the fighters.

Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker Rematch

A rematch between the two should provide the boxing public with a spicy build-up. Eddie Hearn admitted after the first fight that a rematch would be huge, and it’s hard to disagree after the ending of their first bout.

Will Crocker accept the rematch? His coach Billy Nelson has made his feelings known, commenting “disgraceful” underneath an X post from Matchroom about the ruling from the IBF. Under that same comment, Nelson responded to a fan’s observation that Crocker won’t take the rematch, by saying: “why wouldn’t he?”

If Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Crocker 2 is finalised, who wins?