Promises made as Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan prepare for Belfast barnburner

Amidst an electric atmosphere in Belfast, a sign of things to come on March 1, Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan engaged in a head-to-head to formally announce their fight.

They will box in front of a red-hot crowd of 7,000 at the SSE Arena in an anticipated all-Irish clash at 147lbs, with the winner in line to take on Philadelphia’s IBF champion Jaron Ennis.

Belfast’s Crocker, 20-1 (11 KOs), will have home advantage and he has the edge in professional experience. 

“I think the major difference in this fight between me and him is this will be my fifth time headlining,” said Crocker. “I felt more pressure against [Tyrone] McKenna than I do against him. This is his first time at the big thing. 

“Paddy wants to make a thing that it’s north v south, but it’s not at all, it’s Belfast v Limerick. I represent all of Belfast, every community from Belfast and I can’t be more proud. I’m a proud Belfast man. I am. I’ll be a tough man to beat March 1st, mark my words… I beat this man, without a doubt. It’s going to be the toughest night of his life. Without a doubt.”

Limerick southpaw Paddy Donovan, 14-0 (11 KOs), was equally confident. They exchanged numerous barbs on stage at today’s press conference, with Donovan adding: “I knock Lewis Crocker out. I don’t believe Lewis is a world class fighter. I think he’s a top-level British-level fighter, but not a world class fighter. There’s levels and I’m a lot better than Lewis.”
Asked what he needs to do on March 1, Donovan replied: “Keep my head, keep control and get the job done, which I believe I will, in tremendous fashion… Lewis Crocker, I’m going to give you the hiding of your life. I’m going to separate the men from the boys and show you what a real Irish fighter is.”

Former middleweight champion Andy Lee, who trains Donovan, said the fight will be a celebration of his man’s talents. He said Donovan was “a generational talent” and, despite Crocker’s reputation as a hard hitter, Lee contended that Donovan might be the bigger puncher of the two.

“For me, Paddy’s going to announce himself on the world stage. People in boxing have known about Paddy Donovan and people who have seen him fight know about him, but he’s ready to step up now. He’s 26, perfect age for a welterweight, coming into his maturity physically and mentally and this fight has come at the perfect time for him. I know what Paddy can do and he hasn’t shown any of it yet.”

Scottish trainer Billy Nelson, who works with Crocker, countered: “There’s absolutely no way Paddy Donovan punches remotely near as hard as Lewis Crocker… This is going to be a cracking fight, but Paddy Donovan will get stopped. One hundred per cent.”

Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn also said light heavyweight contender Padraig McCrory will return to action on the bill, against a top name from the UK, and he also announced that, at 200lbs, Steven Ward and Tommy McCarthy meet in an all-Ireland loser-has-nowhere-to-go match.

“They both have to win,” said Hearn. 

“I can’t wait,” said Ward. “It’s a fight I’ve been waiting on a while. I thought it would have happened before now. People are saying about last dance, but for me it’s the catalyst. It’s not ‘must win’ it’s ‘will win.’ Me and Tommy are big mates, we’ve sparred countless hours together but it’s different on the night under the lights. We’re both going in to win.”   

“We’re mates,” admitted McCarthy. “We’ve been sparring since we were 13, but this is strictly business. Winner stays on. I need a win to continue to providing for my family. And I will win. I’m looking forward to a great fight.”  

Ward,  who at 34 is the same age as his opponent, is 14-3 (4 KOs) while McCarthy is 21-6 (10 KOs).