Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Predictions: Belfast brawl could be an Irish classic

North meets south in Belfast as Lewis Crocker takes on Paddy Donovan on Saturday, March 1. The SSE Arena will host this blockbuster welterweight clash, with an undercard featuring the likes of Craig Richards, Padraig McCrory and Tommy McCarthy. DAZN will screen the event live. 

Here are my Crocker vs Donovan predictions as these unbeaten Irishmen square off.

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Odds

Crocker is the ever-so-slight underdog at 1/1 while Donovan is 5/6 to get the win. A draw, certainly a tempter considering how close this fight is, can be backed at 14/1.

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Fight Preview

This fight has all the components of a cracker. Two Irish fighters squaring off in a big venue, putting their unbeaten records on the line. This throwing of caution to the wind often makes for great battles. 

At least one of these men is ranked by every sanctioning body at welterweight. The IBF has them at five and six while the WBC places them third and fifth, with Crocker ahead with both entities. There is so much on the line in this all-Irish contest with international implications.

It is an exciting time at welterweight domestically. Conor Benn is moving up to fight Chris Eubank Jr. at middleweight, but he promises he will be back at 147lb afterwards. Former undisputed champion at super lightweight Josh Taylor takes on highly-ranked Ekow Essuman next. It is a fertile proving ground at this weight.

The world titles also offer plenty of opportunity, with four different men laying claim to the crown. The best of the bunch is Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, the IBF kingpin. He defends aganst WBA boss Eimantas Stanionis next in a unification fight. Meanwhile, unbeaten American Brian Norman Jr. holds the keys to the kingdom for the WBO.

Crocker and Donovan will naturally have one eye on such riches. But both will be keenly aware that the path to the titles goes through each other. These circumstances only add to what is already a wonderfully-poised main event.

Each man has proven their mettle in tough fights. Crocker has beaten Tyrone McKenna, Jose Felix and Conah Walker in his last three fights. That is a superb run of form forged against dangerous men. 

Donovan has notched wins over names like Sam O’maison, Danny Ball and, most impressively, Lewis Ritson. What has become clear is that both men have cleaned up domestically. With high rankings and a raft of wins over top British and Irish names between them, it is time to move on.

It is that dynamic that makes this fight so perfect. Either man could have probably taken a step-up fight against a former title contender or world champion on the slide. But instead, they have chosen to square off with each other. Two undefeated fighters in their 20s risking it all for a shot at glory. A fight to savour in Belfast.

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Full Card

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan

Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory

Kurt Walker vs Leon Woodstock

Tommy McCarthy vs Steven Ward

Ruadhan Farrell vs Gerard Hughes

Aaron Bowen vs Ali Hussein

Jack O'Neill vs Rodrigo Matias Areco

Shauna Browne vs TBA

Lewis Crocker vs Paddy Donovan Prediction

This will be a close one. I see this bout being nip-and-tuck all the way. I believe Crocker is in possession of just that little bit more quality down the stretch. But I think ‘The Croc’ will have to go through hell to outdo ‘The Real Deal’.

I’m picking a Crocker victory at 1/1. It’ll be sensational while it lasts.

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