Ahead of a hotly-anticipated all-Ireland clash on March 1, Paddy Donovan is confident of victory against his rival Lewis Crocker.
Donovan, co-managed and trained by Andy Lee, is 14-0 (11 KOs) while Crocker, who works with the Scottish coach Billy Nelson, is 20-0 (11 KOs).
They meet at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with Limerick’s 26-year-old Donovan up against Belfast’s Crocker over 12 rounds to determine the number-one challenger for the IBF welterweight title, which the champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis defends against WBA ruler Eimantas Stanionis on April 12 in Atlantic City.
“I will best Lewis Crocker because he has never fought anyone as good as me,” said Donovan. “I have all the tools to beat him. I’ll outbox and outfight him. I do those things – he can’t – and I’ll show that on fight night. I have visualized the fight in my head many times. I believe that in real time, seeing me punch him to either the head or body.”
Donovan is co-managed by Keith Sullivan, who said: “If you don’t love this match-up, then you don’t like boxing. Given their power, aggressive styles, and toughness, it is going to be an explosive battle between two top fighters. No boxing fan should miss this. It is going to be an epic fight and has a fight-of-the-year potential.
“Obviously, I see Paddy being victorious. I’ve heard all this talk about Crocker’s experience and being a five-time headliner. He was the main event on one card in a venue that seats a thousand. This is Paddy’s 15th professional fight; for Crocker’s 15th, 16th, and 17th fights he fought guys that had 61 combined losses. So come on, what’s all that chatter about?
“Paddy has no fear of Crocker’s experience. Paddy got to the level earlier in his career than Crocker did, so now a 20-0 versus a 14-0 is a great pairing for both at this stage of their careers. Don’t get me wrong, these are two talented and fierce boxers, but I believe Paddy has the edge in skill and power and he will have his hand raised in victory come March 1st.”
Sullivan has also denied that the fight represents a battle between the north and south of the country. Instead, he believes that their fight will unite the nation.
“I have relations in both the north and south – trust me, this fight is not about divisiveness, it transcends politics or sectarianism,” he added. “Irish fans are knowledgeable, and they know a great fight when they see one. This fight is about two warriors putting it all on the line for a shot at the title while their native cities cheer them on to victory.”
Donovan has dedicated the bout to Pietra, a mental health charity, having lost two relatives to suicide. The Pietra Crisis Helpline is 1-800-247-247 and offers crisis intervention support, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, to anyone with suicidal thoughts, considering self-harm or engaging in self-harm and also supports those bereaved through suicide.
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