Crocker’s Two Knockdowns Won the Rematch and the IBF Crown
Lewis Crocker defeated Paddy Donovan by split decision on September 13, 2025, at Windsor Park in Belfast. The twelve-round rematch for the vacant IBF welterweight championship ended with scores of 114–112 and 114–113 for Crocker, against 115–111 for Donovan.
The rematch followed a controversial first meeting
Crocker had won their March encounter by disqualification after Donovan struck after the bell. Donovan had been ahead on the scorecards, and an appeal helped produce a second meeting.
The stakes increased when Jaron Ennis moved to super welterweight. What had initially been another final eliminator became a contest for the vacant world championship.
Knockdowns created the decisive scoring advantage
Crocker dropped Donovan in the third round, then added another knockdown in the fifth. Those moments gave him a crucial advantage in a fight that would become increasingly competitive later.
Donovan recovered and improved through the second half, using more disciplined boxing to reduce the opportunities for Crocker’s heavier counters. The rally carried the contest to a closely divided verdict.
The title stayed with the fighter who created the bigger moments
Two judges favored Crocker narrowly, while the third preferred Donovan. The split result gave the Belfast fighter the championship in front of his home crowd.
Crocker improved to twenty-two wins without defeat, and Donovan stood at fourteen wins and two losses. Unlike the first meeting, the rematch reached the final bell, with the knockdowns and judges’ differing assessments determining ownership of the vacant belt.
Sources
- Matchroom: March disqualification and vacant-title circumstances
- World Boxing News: third- and fifth-round knockdowns and late rally
- Fightmag: September 13 venue, scores and records
