Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan: Matchroom Boxing announce huge Irish showdown for Belfast

Matchroom Boxing have announced a huge Irish showdown for Belfast next year. And it's one for fight fans to get excited about.

Eddie Hearn's promotional company confirmed on Saturday that Lewis Crocker will take on Paddy Donovan at the SSE Arena on Saturday, March 1.

It will see the two unbeaten welterweights finally trade leather after some considerable build-up over the past number of months.

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A potential clash between Crocker and Donovan has been simmering for quite some time now, and finally fans are going to see the pair get in the ring together.

Crocker has eased to a perfect record of 20-0 in the pro ranks, with 11 of those wins coming by way of knockout. Limerick's Donovan boasts an equally impressive record, winning all 14 of his bouts, with 11 also coming via stoppage.

The Belfast boxer said on social media: "Belfast v Limerick ! Absolutely buzzing for this, one of the biggest Irish fights ever in a IBF World title eliminator in my city! Will have ticket info soon.. LFG!!"

The March 1 show is one of several big events planned by Matchroom in 2025, and the company's chairman Hearn said: “This is how you get things started. 2025 is guaranteed to be our biggest year yet – and it’s all exclusive to fight fans on the global home of Boxing, DAZN.

“Going back-to-back on January 25 underlines our strength worldwide with two incredible shows. Our January 31 we have a stacked night of NXTGEN boxing in London to look forward to, which leads us to a string of exciting events across the world up until March – with plenty more blockbuster nights and unmissable fights still to be announced. Watch this space.”

Crocker vs Donovan will be shown live on DAZN, and the company's vice-president Alfie Sharman added: We are incredibly excited to be announcing our first shows of 2025. Featuring some of the biggest names and best prospects in the sport, these shows will kick off an action-packed year for the platform. In 2025, DAZN promises to bring our subscribers an unrivalled schedule of world class boxing and closer to the action than ever before."

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