Matchroom takes a trip across the water for a all Irish shootout this weekend when Lewis Crocker takes on Paddy Donovan.
The two travel up to Belfast Northern Ireland at the SSE Arena to headline a belter of a card.
Lewis Crocker headlines with a 20-0-0 record and title aspirations. Crockers last fight out was a blinder against Conah Walker as the two went back and forth in a war which ended in a Crocker Unanimous decision.
Paddy Donovan comes into this fight with a 14-0-0 record including 11 KO’s. His previous bout was a knockout against Lewis Ritson.
He cannoned a massive left hook which finished the bout in the 9th.
The two won’t just be fight for Irish pride but will be fighting for a IBF World title shot as it is an eliminator bout.
Both have pilled the pressure on each other on the lead up to Saturdays showdown reinforcing the Irish heritage behind this bout.
The undercard isn’t too bad either with a return to the ring for Craig “The Spider” Richards who links up with a new/old trainer, Tony Sims, to face off against Padraig McCrory who looks to bounce back in his hometown.
Richards returns with a new trainer after taking a loss to Willy Hutchinson under Shane Mcguigan. Richards has been out to the ring for just under a year now since the loss and will need a win here to return to greener pastures.
Lewis Crocker Vs Paddy Donovan Undercard-
Lewis Crocker (20-0-0) Vs Paddy Donovan (14-0-0) IBF World Title Eliminator- Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Ends Via Disqualification
Craig Richards (18-4-1) Vs Padraig McCrory (19-1-0)- Craig Richards Via 8th Round TKO
Shauna Brown (5-0-0) Vs Elif Nur Turhan (9-0-0)-Elif Nur Turhan Via TKO In Round 1
Kurt Walker (11-0-0) Vs Leon Woodstock (16-3-0)- Kurt Walker Via Majority Decision
Tommy McCarthy (21-6-0) Vs Steven Ward (14-3-0)- Steven Ward Via 6th Round Referee Stoppage
Ruadhan Farrell (6-1-1) Vs Gerard Hughes (5-0-1)- Ruadhan Farrell Via Unanimous Decision
Aaron Bowen (4-0-0) Vs Juan Cruz Cachiero (7-3-0)- Aaron Bowen Via Unanimous decision
Jack O’Neill (3-0-0) Vs Mohammed Wako (1-2-0)- Jack O’Neill Via Unanimous Decision
Live Results-
Official Result- Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Ends Via Disqualification-
Eddie Hearn has questioned whether it warranted a instant DQ but did say that the shot was after the bell but has said the rematch is massive and now wants that.
The IBF will have to review the end of the fight and potentially could reverse the call calling for another fight between the two.
Donovan claims to have knocked Lewis on the bell rather than after the bell. He said he was winning every round and was stolen the knockout from the referee.
Crocker says in his post fight interview that due to the head clashes and elbows he was rendered blind in that eye. Crocker said he heard the bell and dropped his hands as he couldn’t see.
Round 8-
The repairs of Crocker’s cornermen seems to have taken away the bleeding ensuring Crocker has a clear view. Crocker lands a wonderful right hook whilst Donovan attempted to move away. Donovan continues his assault later in the round firing in bunches but another point has been deducted for Donovan due to another head clash. Donovan putting in the better work dropping Crocker who can’t see out of that Eye and both throw absolute bombs swinging for the fences.
Paddy Donovan is disqualified after Donovan throws a shot knocking down Crocker after the bell.
Donovan with a very late shot ending in correct disqualification. Sunny Edwards on commentary rightly says he was turning back to the corner and then threw the final few shots.
What a fight which ends in devastating fashion for both fighters. A rematch should be put in place straight away.
Round 7-
Another clash of heads has resulted in a timeout called for by the referee who tells Donovan off once again. Donovan starts to use his lead hand to find his distance after being Warner about his head. Crocker has caught Donovan with some great uppercuts trying to walk down Donovan but Donovan is slipping in and out of Crockers attacks beautifully.
Round 6-
The three boxing professional guest judges have Donovan ahead. Bit of a quieter start to the round but it comes to life when Donovan pressures Crocker. But the round takes a turn as the referee deducts a potentially vital point from Donovan due to a elbow from Donovan. The left eye of Crocker is beginning to close up as Donovan continues his power punches trading and getting the better of the exchanges.
Round 5-
Donovan starting to outwork Crocker but Lewis landed a great left hook pushing Donovan back. Both trade brutal body shots and the early tip tap shots have disappeared being replaced by thunderous trading shots. Donovan goads Crocker at the end after Crocker swung and missed a hook. Donovan looked into the distance jokingly after the miss from Crocker
Round 4-
Both leaning there heads in causing the two clashing and referee pauses two tell both fighters to pack it in. Just after that conversation a final warning for Donovan about head clashes but just seconds later Donovan fires the cleanest left hook of the fight so far catching Crocker. Crockers left cheek opened up with another cut caused via a punch.
Round 3-
The right eye of Lewis Crocker draws blood and Donovan smells it with the two starting to open up and trade hooks. Referee warns the head clashes towards the end of the round with Crockers cit really starting to gush blood. Round ends with Donovan pressuring Crocker with some straight shots.
Referee has ensured the corners and judges the cut is caused via a punch.
Round 2-
Neither throwing many power shots early in the round both tapping each other attempting to find the distance. Crocker landing some great uppercuts and hooks when the two are in the pocket. Donovan attempting to move around Crocker to find his openings.
Round 1-
Crocker closing up and finding the target on Paddy Donovan who is the main aggressor in the fight so far. Round 1 massively tense with neither catching the other with anything special.
Official Result- Craig Richards Defeats Padraig McCrory Via TKO 8th Round
Round 8-
Richards drops McCrory with a solid body shot which saw the end for McCrory when his corner threw in the towel.
Round 7-
Another dominant round from Craig Richards who is really starting to put it on McCrory with the Irishman really not offering much at all.
Round 6-
Richards lands a big right hadn’t pushing the already waining McCrory back and really starting to up the pace.
Round 5-
Richards urged by trainer Tony Sims to put the pressure on McCrory who doesn’t look like he wants to be there. Richards puts a bit more pace on fight but is controlling it well.
Round 4-
Richards again with another simple round keeping his distance and catching McCrory when he decides to pounce.
Round 3-
McRory looks a little better in the 3rd round, stepping to Richards more often making it a little more messy. Richards still dominating the most of the exchanges when at distance.
Round 2-
More of the same in the 2nd round with Richards catching McCrory with the jab but neither landing with any power.
Round 1-
Standoffish start from both fighters garnering some boos around the arena in the 1st. Richard’s may have had the best of the 1st by a small margin.
Official Result- Kurt Walker Defeats Leon Woodstock Via Majority Decision
95-95 Even 97-93 and 96-94 to Walker.
Kurt Walker really put pressure on Woodstock catching him with a variety of shots to the head and body. Walker when he started to let his hands go had a lot of success. Woodstock reacts well to the early success of Walker by applying a lot of pressure and making Walker fight on the back foot. Walker had much more success when staying disciplined throwing shots from distance but attempts to make the fight exciting by trading in the pocket with Woodstock. Despite not going past round 7 in his career beforehand Walker seemed to be dealing better with the pace of the fight but Woodstock wouldn’t stop coming forward. Woodstock didn’t give up right until the bell even winning the final round but Walkers early quality takes it for him.
Walker wins in his first time going the full 10 rounds.
Official Result- Steven Ward Defeats Tommy McCarthy Via 6th Round Referee Stoppage
McCarthy goes down almost at the bell in the 2nd round after Ward catches him clean with a massive left hook to the chin. McCarthy had some success in the 4th/5th rounds but Ward rode the shots well. Ward catches McCarthy again in round 6 dropping him down to the canvas, McCarthy got back up but on unsteady legs and after a onslaught from Ward just after the knockdown the referee jumps in to stop the match.
Prelims Results-
Official Result- Ruadhan Farrell Defeats Gerard Hughes Via Unanimous Decision
Farrell gives Hughes his first loss in professional boxing to end the Prelims.
Official Result- Elif Nur Turhan Defeats Shauna Brown Via TKO In Round 1
Turhan completes a wonderful knockout with a thunderous left hook in the 1st round rendering Brown unable to carry on.
Official Result- Jack O’Neill Defeats Mohammed Wako Via Unanimous Decision
O’Neill survives a 2nd round cut to then knock down Wako in the third and win via Unanimous Decision
Official Result- Aaron Bowen Defeats Juan Cruz Cachiero Via Unanimous decision
Bowen goes through the motions winning every single round and winning by Unanimous decision.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
