Although it is common to hear boxers describe their completed training camp as “the best ever”, rarely are these words as believable as they were this afternoon when hearing them said by Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan at a press conference ahead of their fight in Belfast on Saturday.
As expected, the two welterweights mentioned being in the best possible shape, but their confidence was revealed in more than just their words. It came through in their body language, their restraint, their professionalism. In contrast to yesterday’s fiasco involving Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jnr, this was an example of two fighters with complete belief in their ability and their ambition. Indeed, it could even be said they led by example.
“I’m ready,” said Paddy Donovan, who spoke first. “I’m in the best shape of my life.
“Me and Andy [Lee, coach], we always bring the work. We never take shortcuts no matter who I fight. I don’t know how Lewis’ camp has gone, but mine has gone absolutely brilliantly. We’ve worked really, really hard. We’re here, and I’m ready. It’s as simple as that. The talking is done and I’m ready to fight.”
As it turned out, Donovan, 14-0 (11), wouldn’t have to wait long to discover how Crocker’s camp had gone.
“This has been my best camp,” said Crocker, 20-0 (11). “My last three fights, in the last spar for each I hurt my hand. This time I’m physically good, mentally good, as sharp as anything, and super fit and super strong. I couldn’t be better right now. I said I would be a tough man to beat at the last press conference and that I will be.”
Whereas Crocker hails from Belfast, and will therefore receive most of the support at The SSE Arena on Saturday, Donovan comes from Limerick, the birthplace of his coach, Andy Lee. He has no qualms about entering the lion’s den, however.
“It doesn’t matter when me and Lewis are in there – everything goes silent,” Donovan said. “Tune in on Lewis and that will be my main goal.
“We’ll just do what we have always done since I turned pro with Andy back in 2019. The goal was to be a world champion, no matter the opponents they put it front of me – let it be Lewis or anybody else. I’ve got a job to do on Saturday and I’m very, very focused on getting it done.”
If Crocker has the edge in terms of home support, it’s fair to say Donovan is the one of whom big things are expected – both in this fight and beyond. For some, this will be enough to back Donovan to get the win, yet for Crocker, the underdog, such expectation leads only to additional pressure in his eyes.
“I’ve always said Paddy’s good,” Crocker said. “They’re saying he’s the next superstar and stuff and I’m only a British-level fighter, so I feel like all the pressure is on him. He should be taking me out here in one or two rounds if that’s the case. I’m here to upset the party.
“I’ll be a tough, tough man to beat on Saturday, especially with this crowd behind me. I’m super excited for Saturday and the IBF [welterweight title] is just around the corner when I get through this. The world is at my feet. What a fight it’s going to be.”
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