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<\/p>\nCrocker beats Paddy Donovan by split decision after there were also wins for fellow Belfast fighters Caoimhin Agyarko and Tyrone McKenna\n<\/p>\n
The Northern Irishman dropped his opponent twice during the bout, which was the first all-Irish world title fight – and one that Crocker initially went into as an underdog.<\/p>\n
He shocked everyone by implementing a radical change in his game plan that not many thought he would have been capable of.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, he said: “A lot of people gave my stick after the first fight (against Paddy Donovan). Well tomorrow, when you do your wee post make sure you write…Lewis Crocker World f*****g champion.<\/p>\n
“This belt belongs to my parents. They got me to where I am today. This belt belongs to them as much as me. I owe them everything and I am so grateful.”<\/p>\n
The new world champion dropped to his knees when the result was announced, and the emotion poured out of his body, but it was his lack of emotion throughout the fight that really shocked the viewers.<\/p>\n
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Very few people would have expected him to fight on the back foot, draw Donovan in, and then catch him with counters, treating it more like a chess match than an all-out brawl.<\/p>\n
Those who were looking for an explosive start would have been disappointed in the first round, as both fighters kept a safe range, and remained very static, cool and in complete contrast to the palpable atmosphere in Windsor Park.<\/p>\n
The second round shed some light on Crocker\u2019s tactics, as he kept a wide stance, never stopped moving his head, and waited patiently for his opponent to commit to an attack, so that he could catch him on his way in.<\/p>\n
This tactic surprised many, because the common consensus going into the fight was that the Sandy Row native would have to step on the gas, go on the front foot, and turn it into a scrap – but trainer Billy Nelson obviously thought differently.<\/p>\n
The home support erupted in the third round when the Belfast man\u2019s plan worked a treat, and he caught the Limerick fighter with a beautiful counter left hook, sending him to the canvas, and sending Windsor Park into hysterics.<\/p>\n
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Determined to respond to the knockdown, Donovan came out in the fourth with much more purpose, catching his foe with some powerful punches that started to make the fight look more like the first one.<\/p>\n
However, the Ulsterman did catch the smooth southpaw with another big left hook, earning the respect of his opponent that he definitely didn\u2019t get back in March at the SSE Arena.<\/p>\n
The southern star found his groove in the fifth round though, looking very at ease, and establishing dominance in the fight. But, just before the bell went, the undefeated boxer landed yet another left hook, flush on Donovan\u2019s jaw, sending him crashing to the canvas.<\/p>\n
The bell came at the perfect time for the 26-year-old, and his powers of recovery were impressive, for he entered the second half of the fight looking as sharp and cognitive as usual.<\/p>\n
As the main event creeped into the latter stages, cracks in The Croc\u2019s strategy started to appear. The younger fighter began to pick his shots, become the busier boxer, and nick the rounds, threatening to stretch out a lead on the scorecards.<\/p>\n
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Lewis Crocker (left) and Paddy Donovan during their IBF World Welterweight title bout (Photo By Ramsey Cardy\/Sportsfile via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
With the silky southpaw starting to steal the fight, the former Holy Trinity Club fighter needed to start letting his hands go, up the tempo, and be more aggressive.<\/p>\n
Going into the last round, there was a feeling that Crocker was leaving it behind him a little, and the crowd began to really get behind their man in an attempt to inspire him for the last three minutes.<\/p>\n
When the final bell went, both boxers were lifted aloft by their trainers in celebration, claiming victory for their own, leaving a nervy wait on the judges, and whether they preferred Donovan\u2019s high volume approach, or whether they instead valued the cleaner shots of Crocker.<\/p>\n
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Paddy Donovan’s celebrations at the bell proved premature. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy\/Sportsfile via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
In the end, it was the big power shots that swayed the people whose opinions matter most, with only one judge favouring the away fighter\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n
Windsor Park never stopped rocking from the minute the ring walks began, and it hit new records of decibel levels when Crocker\u2019s hand was raised in victory.<\/p>\n
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