Crocker beats Paddy Donovan by split decision after there were also wins for fellow Belfast fighters Caoimhin Agyarko and Tyrone McKenna
The Northern Irishman dropped his opponent twice during the bout, which was the first all-Irish world title fight – and one that Crocker initially went into as an underdog.
He shocked everyone by implementing a radical change in his game plan that not many thought he would have been capable of.
Afterwards, he said: “A lot of people gave my stick after the first fight (against Paddy Donovan). Well tomorrow, when you do your wee post make sure you write…Lewis Crocker World f*****g champion.
“This belt belongs to my parents. They got me to where I am today. This belt belongs to them as much as me. I owe them everything and I am so grateful.”
The new world champion dropped to his knees when the result was announced, and the emotion poured out of his body, but it was his lack of emotion throughout the fight that really shocked the viewers.
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Very few people would have expected him to fight on the back foot, draw Donovan in, and then catch him with counters, treating it more like a chess match than an all-out brawl.
Those who were looking for an explosive start would have been disappointed in the first round, as both fighters kept a safe range, and remained very static, cool and in complete contrast to the palpable atmosphere in Windsor Park.
The second round shed some light on Crocker’s tactics, as he kept a wide stance, never stopped moving his head, and waited patiently for his opponent to commit to an attack, so that he could catch him on his way in.
This tactic surprised many, because the common consensus going into the fight was that the Sandy Row native would have to step on the gas, go on the front foot, and turn it into a scrap – but trainer Billy Nelson obviously thought differently.
The home support erupted in the third round when the Belfast man’s plan worked a treat, and he caught the Limerick fighter with a beautiful counter left hook, sending him to the canvas, and sending Windsor Park into hysterics.
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Determined to respond to the knockdown, Donovan came out in the fourth with much more purpose, catching his foe with some powerful punches that started to make the fight look more like the first one.
However, the Ulsterman did catch the smooth southpaw with another big left hook, earning the respect of his opponent that he definitely didn’t get back in March at the SSE Arena.
The southern star found his groove in the fifth round though, looking very at ease, and establishing dominance in the fight. But, just before the bell went, the undefeated boxer landed yet another left hook, flush on Donovan’s jaw, sending him crashing to the canvas.
The bell came at the perfect time for the 26-year-old, and his powers of recovery were impressive, for he entered the second half of the fight looking as sharp and cognitive as usual.
As the main event creeped into the latter stages, cracks in The Croc’s strategy started to appear. The younger fighter began to pick his shots, become the busier boxer, and nick the rounds, threatening to stretch out a lead on the scorecards.
Lewis Crocker (left) and Paddy Donovan during their IBF World Welterweight title bout (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
With the silky southpaw starting to steal the fight, the former Holy Trinity Club fighter needed to start letting his hands go, up the tempo, and be more aggressive.
Going into the last round, there was a feeling that Crocker was leaving it behind him a little, and the crowd began to really get behind their man in an attempt to inspire him for the last three minutes.
When the final bell went, both boxers were lifted aloft by their trainers in celebration, claiming victory for their own, leaving a nervy wait on the judges, and whether they preferred Donovan’s high volume approach, or whether they instead valued the cleaner shots of Crocker.
Paddy Donovan’s celebrations at the bell proved premature. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
In the end, it was the big power shots that swayed the people whose opinions matter most, with only one judge favouring the away fighter’s approach.
Windsor Park never stopped rocking from the minute the ring walks began, and it hit new records of decibel levels when Crocker’s hand was raised in victory.
Earlier, there were wins for Belfast duo Caoimhin Agyarko and Tyrone McKenna, while Coleraine’s Matthew Boreland beat Ruadhan Farrell after six rounds.
Agyarko was taken the distance by Ishmael Davis before winning on split decision in a real thriller.
McKenna, meanwhile, entered the ring to the sounds of Kneecap’s H.O.O.D., but it was Dylan Moran who was left feeling sick in the head after a stopping in the seventh round.
Relive the fight on Keith Bailie’s liveblog…
Key updates
CROCKER TAKES SHOCK VICTORY
AGYARKO WINS ON SPLIT DECISION
Here’s Lee Costello’s report from tonight’s undercard
FRAMPTON ON DECISION
“On my card, I had Donovan by a round. But you have to give Billy Nelson and Lewis Crocker a lot of credit for their tactics. I didn’t think he could fight like that, and I didn’t think he go win like that.”
CROCKER ON FAMILY
“This belt belongs to my parents. They got me to where I am today. This belt belongs to them as much as me. I owe them everything and I am so grateful.”
CROCKER CALLS OUT BENN
“A great fight in my opinion for fans in the UK, would be myself and Conor Benn. Let’s make that happen!”
CROCKER ON THE WORLD TITLE
“A lot of people gave my stick after the first fight. Well tomorrow, when you do your wee post make sure you write…Lewis Crocker World f*****g champion”
CROCKER TAKES SHOCK VICTORY
That’s a huge, huge shock.
Northern Ireland has a new WORLD CHAMPION and his name is Lewis Crocker.
The Belfast man has stunned Paddy Donovan, stunned Irish boxing and stunned the critics to win the IBF World Title.
Crocker beats Donovan, once again!
CROCKER WINS ON SPLIT DECISION
115-111 Donovan
114-112 Crocker
114-113 Crocker
On my card, Donovan wins by four points.
However, this is a question of style and what the judges prefer. If a judge prefers Crocker’s significant blows as opposed to Donovan’s constant scoring, it may be closer than four points.
But it’s hard to see anything other than a Donovan win. Let’s go to the cards…
ROUND TWELVE
Paddy Donovan does enough to win that round despite swallowing a couple of big punches from Lewis Crocker. Donovan landed more punches and was the busier – a constant theme throughout the fight
There goes the final bell!
Both men celebrate, but Paddy Donovan’s celebrations are much more convincing.
Donovan is on top but Crocker is throwing some big punches. Donovan swallows a big one.
A minute to go
The bell goes for the final round. Can Donovan hang on for victory? Can Crocker land a killer blow?
Windsor Park is rocking
ROUND ELEVEN
Again, I’d say Donovan won that won that. He was busier, throwing and landing more punches. It feels like Crocker needs a knockout in the final round. Or at least a knockdown.
Two rounds to go. By my card, I have Donovan two two points up.
ROUND TEN
It took Paddy Donovan five or six rounds, but he has figured Lewis Crocker and his tactics out. He’s now in total control and on his way to victory.
However, in the middle of all that Crocker hurt the Limerick man with a powerful right-hander. The fear is still there for Donovan and that fear is real.
ROUND NINE
There was some good work from Lewis Donovan in the ninth round, who caught Donovan with another powerful punch. This time the Limerick man rides it, and goes on to land more punches of his own. Donovan takes that one.
Donovan has landed 36 punches to Crocker’s 22.
ROUND EIGHT
That’s a round for Paddy Donovan. He is in his rhythm now and is dictating things. He may well out point Crocker despite the two knockdowns.
However, he must be living in fear that Crocker could catch him with another powerful punch.
FRAMPTON ON THE CARDS
“I have it level. Lewis had the two 10-8s but Paddy has done more outside of that. However, some of the rounds have been very tight and could go either way”
Lewis Crocker celebrates defeating Paddy Donovan in their IBF World Welterweight title bout(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Watch: Brawl in crowd at Crocker v Donovan fight at the SSE Arena
