Paddy Donovan is ready to finish the job he started last time he fought Lewis Crocker when they battle for the vacant IBF welterweight title this Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Windsor Park in Belfast, Ireland. The Crocker vs. Donovan 2 event starts at 2:00 p.m. ET on DAZN.
(Credit: Matchroom Boxing)
The Disqualification Controversy
The winner of the fight will hold the IBF 147-lb title and will be in an excellent position to get lucrative fights against the likes of Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney.
Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) suffered his first career defeat earlier this year on March 1, being disqualified in the eighth round for flattening Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) after the bell. The referee, Marcus McDonnell, DQ’d Donovan, 26, on the spot, giving Crocker an eighth-round DQ victory. It’s not the ideal way that Crocker wanted to win, but he wasn’t going to complain.
Undercard fights for Crocker vs. Donovan 2
- Ishmael Davis vs. Caoimhin Agyarko
- Molly McCann vs. Kate Radomska
- Tyrone McKenna vs. Dylan Moran
- Pat Brown vs. Austine Nnamdi
- Aaron Bowen vs. Carlos Miguel Ronner
- Kyle Smith vs. Connor Meanwell
Saturday’s Crocker vs. Donovan 2 rematch is expected to take place in front of a large crowd at Windsor Park. The stadium has a capacity of 18,500. Even if it’s not sold out, there will still be a lot of fans attending to see these two Irish warriors fight again.
Unfinished Business in Belfast
“He’s done,” said Paddy Donovan to Matchroom about Lewis Crocker.
“My camp has been good,” Crocker said in response.
“That’s not what I heard, kid. It’s all over for you. Once and for all, I will put it to bed. It’s a big night for you, Lewis, in Belfast, A big, big night, kid,” said Donovan.
Donovan had dominated their fight last March, dropping Crocker in the eighth, cutting him over both eyes, and having his way with him. Crocker looked like a physical wreck by the eighth. If the fight hadn’t been halted in that round by the referee McDonnell, it’s doubtful that ‘The Croc’ would have lasted much longer. He’d absorbed too much punishment from Paddy during the eight rounds.
The six months that Crocker has been out of the ring could provide him with a good reset to fix the mistakes he made last time against Donovan, and come with a better game plan.