LEWIS CROCKER VS PADDY DONOVAN 2 - FULL FIGHT PREVIEW

Rematches are part and parcel of boxing these days.

Whether we like them or not, in many big fights there’s a rematch clause.

In rare cases, like this one, there wasn’t a rematch clause — but the demand for the two fighters to run it back is just as powerful as any signed piece of paper.

The first fight was as controversial as they come.

Seemingly in control and well ahead on two of the judges’ scorecards, Paddy Donovan suffered what can only be described as a brain explosion, dropping Lewis Crocker after the bell.

He had already been deducted two points for use of the head so, as is the case in this sport, third time you’re out.

It was an anti-climax. Donovan had put in a career-best performance up to that point and looked every bit the special talent many people believe he is.

Whether it was the tit-for-tat fouls, or the sense that Crocker wasn’t being penalised the same way for misdemeanours, Donovan’s flash of indiscipline was as costly as they come.

In a way, Donovan has earned the biggest reward for his dominance in that first fight — a crack at a vacant world title against the man who took his unbeaten record.

Was it the best Lewis Crocker in that fight? No, certainly not. Was it the best Paddy Donovan? No, certainly not. And considering how dominant Donovan had been, Crocker will need to dig deep to find the answers this time around.

So, how exactly does he do that?

He spent much of the first fight plodding forward with an arched back, looking for huge looping hooks — which played into Donovan’s hands perfectly. He needs to cut that out straight away if he’s to have any chance in the rematch.

It’s worked for Crocker before, but Donovan’s slick southpaw style handled it fairly comfortably, which is why he was in control before the disqualification.

Crocker needs to box. Donovan may be the better technician, but the Northern Irishman has to show him something different.

If he plods forward again and makes it easy for Donovan to pick him apart, he’ll put himself in danger of being stopped.

He has to make Donovan force the pace. Make him come forward. Make him overcommit on shots and frustrate him. Set traps. Rip the body to try to drain Donovan’s tank. Be less one-dimensional.

It sounds straightforward — it certainly isn’t — but ultimately, Crocker needs to get back to boxing fundamentals if he’s to have any chance of becoming world champion.

For Donovan, there’s very little to change. He simply has to keep his composure this time.

Crocker knows now that Donovan can be wound up. A couple of split seconds of stupidity lost him the first fight — as simple as that.

If Donovan can keep his head — and with Andy Lee, one of the calmest men in the sport, in his corner, he should — then he’ll be very hard to beat.

Crocker’s high guard is tough to pierce, but Donovan showed in the first fight that varying his shots to head and body is key to breaking him down.

If Donovan produces a performance anywhere near as good as the first one (minus the fouls), he’ll be very difficult to beat.

It’s no surprise the bookies have him a strong favourite.

There’s a huge amount on the line for both fighters. A world title at 147lbs opens up all sorts of doors, particularly with the division in limbo and plenty of pay-per-view stars hovering around the weight.

Either way, it’s the first all-Irish world title fight — and there’s no doubt it will deliver.

The undercard is stacked with local talent such as Matthew Boreland, Ruadhan Farrell, talented amateur Kyle Smith, and Paddy Donovan’s cousin, Jim Donovan, making his debut.

Pat Brown and Aaron Bowen also feature, alongside former UFC star Molly McCann in her professional boxing debut. Tyrone McKenna and Dylan Moran will also run it back following their clash late last year.

The fight that really stands out, though, is the chief support: Ishmael Davis vs Caoimhin Agyarko.

Two fighters with similar styles, they’ve had contrasting fortunes of late.

Davis was 13-0 before suffering back-to-back defeats when stepping in late against Josh Kelly and Serhii Bohachuk.

It’s harsh to judge Davis too strongly on those losses given the short notice, but he’ll be looking to regain the momentum he had when he was unbeaten.

Agyarko’s career had been very stop-start until this year.

After beating former British 154lbs champion Troy Williamson, he struggled to land the big opportunities he needed and fought only once in 2024.

But he’s boxed twice already this year — within three weeks — with wins over Harley Collison and Ryan Kelly, shaking off the rust and carrying the momentum he’s long craved.

As for the fight itself, it’s very hard to call.

Both have quick hands and feet, both can box, and neither is a devastating puncher.

Expect a chess match for long stretches — but at some point, one of them will have to dig deep and go to work. That’s when it could turn into a real barnburner.

Who that will be, we don’t yet know. But we’ll find out on Saturday night.