Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan previously met for the right to fight for a major title.
That very belt will be on the line for their anticipated rematch.
Matchroom Boxing confirmed that terms were reached for a repeat battle between the abovementioned welterweight contenders. The IBF 147lbs title recently vacated by Jaron “Boots” Ennis, 34-0 (30 KOs), will be at stake for their return meeting, as Crocker, 21-0 (11 KOs) and Donovan, 14-1 (11 KOs) are the two highest rated contenders.
“Following Jaron Ennis vacating the IBF World Welterweight title and moving up, the rematch just got bigger,” Matchroom revealed through its verified social media accounts. “Date and venue coming soon.”
BoxingScene has learned that the working date for Crocker-Donovan II is September 13 in Crocker’s hometown of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Crocker won their first bout via disqualification at the end of the eighth round of their March 1 IBF title eliminator at The SSE Arena in Belfast.
Donovan was ahead on all three scorecards (69-63, 69-63, 67-65) and legitimately floored Crocker in the eighth. However, the 26-year-old southpaw from Limerick also lost two points by that point – use of his elbow in the sixth and leading with his head in the wild eighth round.
Things went from bad to worse by round’s end – a fraction of a second after, in fact.
Donovan floored Crocker with a right hook, marginally after the bell sounded. Referee Marcus McDonnell was horribly out of position and not even in the frame (for those who streamed the fight on DAZN) when the bell sounded or when Donovan landed the punch.
It was a crushing end to an otherwise brilliant performance by Donovan, who then dropped into the arms of head trainer and former WBO middleweight titlist Andy Lee.
A motion was filed by Donovan’s legal team for an immediate rematch, which was granted by the IBF. Ennis was still the titleholder at the time, which left in question what the stakes would be for the rematch, whether a second eliminator or an interim title fight.
Ennis has since opted to campaign at 154lbs and declared that he was relinquishing his belts. He still holds the WBA title but has already formally vacated the IBF crown.
