Irish welterweight Paddy Donovan has been linked to face Belfast’s Lewis Crocker for over a year. Limerick’s Donovan has confirmed to FightsATW that he will finally collide with Crocker in Belfast for an IBF eliminator in March.
Donovan (14-0, 11 KOs) was scheduled to return to the ring at York Hall in London on December 13th. However, a small injury has forced the 25-year-old southpaw to ditch the bout in the English capital to focus on longtime rival Crocker early next year.
“I’ve picked up an injury, but it’s nothing major,” Donovan said exclusively to FightsATW. “The fight is signed for the big one with me and Lewis Crocker and training continues despite the injury. I just have to be careful and hope it heals properly. The fight in London is not the most important fight. The biggest fight of my career is about being 100 percent right for March. So, we are now fully focused on the fight with Lewis Crocker. The injury is nothing major; I just need to get my body fully right by March. The fight will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.”
Crocker (20-0, 11 KOs) will get home advantage in his native Belfast. Donovan will make the 225-mile trip from the southwest of the Emerald Isle to what he calls “the home of Irish boxing.”
“There were talks about it being in Limerick and talks about it being in Dublin, but it will take place in Belfast,” Donovan explained. “So we just have to go and get the win in Belfast. Belfast is the home of Irish boxing right now; I’ve had numerous fights as a professional in Belfast. I really enjoy fighting in Belfast and the Irish always get behind me in Belfast. They come from all over Ireland to show their love and support for me in Belfast. It is no problem whatsoever fighting in Belfast with me being Irish and Crocker being from Belfast. It’s quite close to St Patrick’s Day, so it has everything to be an amazing event.
“I’ve been chasing this fight for a while, as you can see on the internet. For a while I’ve been hunting Crocker, but he hasn’t really wanted to engage for a bit, even after the fight with Conah Walker in the UK. I landed two head-to-heads with him because the fight was nearly a done deal at that time. Crocker exited the building and kinda left me stranded. My manager, Keith Sullivan, and Andy Lee pushed hard for the fight and made it happen. It’s just one fight away from a world title, so I’m in an amazing position. It seems to be for an IBF eliminator. Crocker didn’t really want to leave Belfast, but the best opportunity for me to fight for a world title is to face Crocker in Belfast. I took the fight with both hands. It didn’t really matter where the fight is; it’s just about me getting one flight closer to a world title.”
Despite the biggest fight of his career on the horizon, Donovan’s early ambition to claim a world title is a constant thought.
“That was always the main goal,” Donovan added. “We are always working towards something and to become world champion. I am on a great run of form. Haven’t really taken much damage as a professional fighter; I’ve kinda cruised through my professional career. My toughest test has been Lewis Ritson, which I went through with flying colors [a 9th-round TKO victory]. You saw he gave Walker a lot of problems and Walker gave Crocker a lot of trouble. I feel like Crocker may have the advantage with this amount of fights, but I feel I’m in a better position to become a world champion.
“His route is very difficult if I stand in the way of it. I’m ready for Lewis Crocker no matter what way he comes; it doesn’t really matter. I’ll prepare for the best Lewis Crocker and I’ll be ready on the night. I just hope the result is fair in Belfast. I’m looking forward to a great show and a great contest, and may the best man win. There will be international judges; I just want a fair fight. The last fight Crocker had with Walker, I thought Walker won, but Crocker got the result. I’m looking forward to the challenge; it’s a fight I’ve been chasing for over a year. I believe I’ve got all the assets to beat him.”
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