Lewis Crocker won the IBF world welterweight title by defeating Paddy Donovan in a split decision in Belfast on Saturday.
The judges ruled the fight with scores of 114-112 and 114-113 in favor of Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs), while one judge scored it 115-111 for Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs).
Unlike the first clash between the Irish pugilists, which was a fight full of action and ended controversially, the rematch at Windsor Park unfolded like a chess game, with Crocker emerging victorious thanks to two knockdowns.
Donovan showed greater activity in the first two rounds and seemed comfortable in the third round until Crocker responded with a left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas for the first time.
Donovan, who immediately got up, remained calm before both exchanged forceful blows in the fourth round, which ignited the fight.
In the fifth round, Crocker chose the perfect moment again, connecting another left hook that knocked Donovan down for the second time.
Crocker, with a smart strategy, kept a more active Donovan at bay, achieving enough to be crowned world champion in his own home.
In this highly anticipated rematch, which contested the full IBF welterweight title, following Jaron “Boots” Ennis’s relinquishment of the belt, around 20,000 fans packed Windsor Park to witness the first world title fight between two Irish pugilists.
In the first fight, Donovan was controversially disqualified for hitting Crocker after the bell at the end of the eighth round.
On this occasion, there were no interruptions and the fight went the full 12 rounds, with Crocker, who resides a few minutes from the stadium, securing the victory by split decision.
