Paddy Donovan eyes world welterweight title eliminator in Belfast

IN ARGUABLY the greatest All-Ireland pro boxing match of all-time, undefeated Paddy 'The Real Deal' Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs) is confident of defeating arch-rival Lewis 'The Croc' Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) in their March 1 showdown, streaming on DAZN live from The SSE Arena (Odyssey Arena) in Belfast.

Much more than Irish bragging rights will be on the line for 26-year-old rising star Donovan, the World Boxing Association (WBA) Continental Welterweight Champion, and Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs), the 28-year-old World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-Continental Welterweight Champion who will be fighting at home in Belfast.

Southpaw Donovan, who turned pro in 2019, boxed in his amateur days out of Limerick's Our Lady of Lourdes St Saviours Boxing Club. Donovan is a 13-time Irish national amateur champion.

Former world middleweight champion, Limerick man Andy Lee, is Donovan's head trainer and also co-manages Donovan with New York City-based lawyer Keith Sullivan.

The 12-round, main event winner of the Crocker vs. Donovan IBF welterweight title eliminator will become the No. 1, mandatory challenger for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Welterweight Champion, whether that is for current world welterweight champions Jaron 'Boots' Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs – IBF) or Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs – WBA), who are scheduled to fight for the unified IBF and WBA crowns on April 12 in Atlantic City.

Crocker vs. Donovan has been brewing for a long time. They are both rising stars and world ranked: Donovan at IBF #5, WBA #6 and WBC #13; Crocker at WBA #3, IBF #5 and WBO #3.

“I will best Lewis Crocker because he has never fought anyone as good as me,” Donovan proclaimed.

“I have all the tools to beat him. I’ll out-box and out-fight him. I do those things, he can’t, and I’ll show that on fight night. I have visualized the fight in my head many times. I believe that in real time, seeing me punch him to either the head or body.”

Donovan hasn’t fought since May 25 last, Crocker since last June 22. Both are promoted by Matchroom Boxing and Jumaane Camero is their only common pro-opponent with both winning six-round decisions.

“If you don't love this matchup, then you don't like boxing,” Donovan’s co-manager Keith Sullivan commented. “Given their power, aggressive styles, and toughness, it is going to be an explosive battle between two top fighters. No boxing fan should miss this. It is going to be an epic fight and has a fight-of-the-year potential.”

“I heard Lewis say Paddy was turning this into a North versus South rivalry,” Sullivan continued.

“That is not the case at all. This fight will unite, not divide, people from all over Ireland, North and South, as they cheer on their chosen man of the night. I have relations in both the North and South, trust me, this fight is not about divisiveness, it transcends politics or sectarianism. Irish fans are knowledgeable, and they know a great fight when they see one.

"This fight is about two warriors putting it all on the line for a shot at the title while their native cities cheer them on to victory.  

“Obviously, I see Paddy being victorious. I've heard all this talk about Crocker's ‘experience’ and being a past five-time headliner. He was the main event on one card in a venue that seats a thousand. This is Paddy's 15th professional fight, for Crocker's 15th, 16th, and 17th fights he fought guys that had 61 combined losses. 

"So come on, what’s all that chatter about. Paddy has no fear of Crocker’s experience. Paddy got to the level earlier in his career than Crocker did, so now a 20-0 versus a 14-0 is a great pairing for both at this stage of their careers. Don't get me wrong, these are two talented and fierce boxers, but I believe Paddy has the edge in skill and power and he will have his hand raised in victory come March 1.”

Donovan, a gifted southpaw, is dedicating this fight to Pieta, using his boxing platform to promote the suicide prevention charity that provides mental health services throughout Ireland. Paddy has lost two relatives to suicide.

The Pietra Crisis Helpline, 1-800-247-247, offers crisis intervention support, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm and also supports those bereaved through suicide.