Belfast's Crocker beats Donovan to win world title

Crocker savours that winning feeling [Getty Images]

Lewis Crocker claimed the vacant IBF welterweight title with a split decision win against Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park.

The Belfast man scored knockdowns in rounds three and five, which proved critical as two cards in his favour read 114-112 and 114-113, while Donovan claimed a 115-111 verdict on the third.

It was a night of vindication for Crocker in this rematch, having won the first meeting between the pair in March by disqualification despite being second best in the fight.

The Belfast man produced a much better performance this time and was much crisper, quicker and sharper with his heavy hands, although using them sparingly, proved vital as he improved to 22-0 with Donovan's record now at 14-2.

Knockdowns prove the difference

It was a cagey start with both seemingly intent on a scouting mission, Crocker pawing his his right hand as Donovan missed with some earlhy shots but did land late in the round.

Crocker's approach from the first fight had noticably changed as he seemed happy to stay at range, seeking to draew Donovan's lead and counter, getting a brief opportunity in the second as he let his right hand go in another tentative round from the pair.

That approach paid off to an extend in the third as he toimed the Limerick man was clipped on the way in and although it seemed more of a slip a punch landed and Howard Foster issued a count.

It injected some urgency into Donovan who finished the round well and the fight began to open up in the fourth with both landing simulteanously with hooks but it was Crodker who seemed to take the backward step.

Donovan seemed well on his way to winning the fifth off hios jab and sought to put a stamp on it late in the round, but the counter right Crocker had been looking for was there and he detonating a rapid right that dropped Donovan fior a second time.

Crocker's output was not high, but he was opting for economy, popping out the odd tab and in the sixth he landed with the crisper shots despite Donovan again working well off the jab.

It left it brillaintly poised heading into the second half with Donovan still seeking to take a firm grip but wary of what he may be coming in response.

He did enjoy a good seventh, jabbing and bringing his left into play as Crovker wsas off target with a couple of raids, while a quiet eigth was hard to call as neither seemed to take a grip.

Donovan was again busier in the ninth but Crocker landed with a couple of flush counters as he circled to his right perhaps daring th Limerick man to throw the left hook.

Donovan did have to take a couple of solid rights in the 10th but was a little busier as he varied his attacks, yet there was a sense thre Limerick man had to produce the bigger finish going into the championship rounds.

Crocker has changed approiach as he was now coming forward a bit more with hos tioght gaurd and that was suiting Donovan with the fight seemingly on a knife-edge heading into the final stanza.

Crocker was windmilling a little but did raise he noise with some right hands to the temple of Donovan, but the Limerick man was on the front foot a little more in another ound which was difficult to score, leaving both anxiously waiting for the verdict after 12 engrossing rounds.

More to follow.