Lewis Crocker (21-0, 13 food) and Paddy Donovan (14-1, 11 COs) will fight for the vacant IBF Welterweight title in a Rematch on Dazn on September 13 in Windsor Park in northern Belfast, Ireland.
Ibf welterweight title fight
Earlier this year, Donovan, 26, was disqualified for Banding Crocker in the eighth round after the round ended in an IBF welterweight title Eliminator. A rematch was later called after Donovan did the IBF. That’s why we see a second battle between these two rather than someone else getting a chance.
#1 IBF Crocker and #3 Donovan were placed in their high rankings by smart matchmaking, without facing any solid opposition of world -class. For fans outside the UK, they are not pleased that these two are fighting for the vacant IBF 147-pound belt without getting their way through the division to earn their high rankings.
Paper champion argument
If the IBF belt is at stake for Crocker-Donovan 2, this is the title, because none of them have proven to deserve to fight or fight. Whoever wins the IBF title of their collision will be considered in the same light as a paper champion as the WBC belt holder Mario Barrios. This is the reality of it. Whoever comes from this collision will have an asterisk next to their name in the eyes of many fans, who will consider them second class.
Crocker and Donovan’s promoter Eddie Hearn, of course, considers them that they deserved their place to fight for the IBF crown, but he would know that none of them had gone through the difficult opposition to earn to fight for a belt.
Fighters Crocker and Lewis should have already fought
– Jaron Ennis
– Raul Curiel
– Shakhram Giyasov
– Rohan Polanco
– Eimantas Stanionis
– Karen Chukhadzhian
Matchroom Boxing Event
“It’s absolutely big-the first all-Irish world title fight,” says Eddie Hearn. ‘The first meeting between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan had it all-an electric build-up, intestines, knockdowns and an extremely controversial end. The drama-filled night in March set the rematch perfectly, and September 13 promises to be even bigger and better. ‘
What fans do not need is for the winner of the Crocker-Donovan 2 match to defend the IBF belt mainly against regional fighters rather than outside the UK. When they look at their records, it is clear that they mainly fought fighters from their country. Will we see the same kind of matchmaking on September 13 for the winner of the IBF belt? If so, should the IBF title be renamed, perhaps by adding the word “Commonwealth” to it?
Last updated on 07/24/2025
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