Lewis Crocker beat Paddy Donovan via split decision to win the IBF welterweight world title in Belfast on Saturday.
The judges scored the fight 114-112 and 114-113 to Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs), with one card of 115-111 to Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs).
While the first fight between the two Irish fighters was a brawl and ended in controversial fashion, the rematch at Windsor Park was more of a chess match, with Crocker coming out on top thanks to two knockdowns.
Donovan was slightly busier in the opening two rounds and was looking comfortable in Round 3 until Crocker countered with a flush left hook which sent his opponent to the canvas for the first time.
Donovan, who got up straight away, remained composed before they both landed strong shots in Round 4 to ignite the contest.
In Round 5, Crocker picked his moment perfectly again, landing another left hook which put Donovan down a second time.
– McCann beats Radomska in pro boxing debut
– Joshua takes aim at ‘dippy’ Fury, plans comeback
– Parker warns Wardley: ‘There are levels’ to boxing
Crocker boxed intelligently and kept the busier Donovan at bay, doing enough to be crowned world champion in his own backyard.
In the hotly anticipated rematch, this time for the full IBF welterweight title with Jaron “Boots” Ennis having vacated the belt, around 20,000 fans packed into Windsor Park for the first all-Irish men’s world title fight.
Donovan was controversially disqualified in the first fight for punching Crocker after the bell at the end Round 8.
This time there was no stoppage as the fight went the full 12 rounds, with Crocker, who lives just a few minutes away from the stadium, claiming a split-decision victory.
