Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan: Matchroom on world title status

Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith is “very confident” the rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan will be for the vacant IBF welterweight title and that “we are moving in the right direction” for the fight to take place at Windsor Park.

Saturday, 13 September has been floated as a potential date for what would be the first all-Irish world title fight.

The first meeting between the pair took place on 1 March, drawing a sell-out crowd of 8,500 at Belfast’s SSE Arena for what was touted as a final eliminator for the title, held by Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

“Any day that should be finalised,” Smith told BBC Sport NI when asked about the rematch having world title status.

“That will obviously add a big storyline to the fight. The first fight ended in controversy and this is their chance to prove who deserves to get that win and become world champion.

“Hopefully in the coming days we’ll have an update on that and confirmation from the IBF that it’ll be for a full world title.”

In the first fight, Crocker won via disqualification at the end of the eighth round when, having twice previously been deducted points for fouls, Limerick’s Donovan was thrown out for punching after the bell.

An appeal from Donovan’s team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch which again would be a final eliminator.

However, in a twist last week, champion Ennis confirmed he is to move up to the light-middleweight division.