Paddy Donovan vows to ‘end Lewis Crocker’s career’ as Andy Lee makes claim

Belfast’s Lewis Crocker faces Paddy Donovan for the IBF world welterweight title at Windsor Park on Saturday

Andy Lee believes Paddy Donovan looks like a world champion, with his fighter promising to bring Lewis Crocker’s career to an end on Saturday.

The southpaw has been working under fellow Limerick native and former WBO world middleweight champion Lee since turning professional six years ago.

Donovan was disqualified during his clash with Crocker back in March and, with the stakes dramatically heightened and the IBF world welterweight title up for grabs this weekend, Lee is completely confident his fighter will emerge victorious at Windsor Park.

“I just look at him and I see a world champion,” declared the 41-year-old trainer. “When you see a world champion, you see the great fighters, they have an aura about them, they have a way of carrying themselves, they have the balance and the shape, and you know straight away, that’s a world champion.

“I just see that in Paddy, a good professional, being disciplined, focussed and he will win on Saturday.”, reports the Irish Mirror.

Lee continued: “He served his time. He’s earned it the hard way. It hasn’t been an easy road for him either. He’s had his ups and downs with promotional things.

“Like every other fighter, it’s not been a straight road, but he’s worked hard all the way and got where he deserves.”

Donovan was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards when he was disqualified for hitting Crocker after the bell at the conclusion of the eighth round back in March, despite also having points deducted for use of the elbow and head by referee Marcus McDonnell. Lee doesn’t reckon there’s much scope for Crocker and his Scottish coach Billy Nelson to alter their approach ahead of the rematch.

“We’ve prepared for every outcome and every style,” Lee declared. “The history of boxing tells you a fighter can’t really change that much. To me, it’s more about Paddy’s development as a fighter… he oozes the aura of a world champion. Paddy has that thing. You can’t put your finger on it, but you know they have it.”

Donovan and Crocker have presented contrasting personas this week, with the Limerick man oozing confidence, while the local lad has been somewhat subdued.

However, ‘The Croc’, a 9/2 underdog for the rematch according to the bookies (Donovan is 1/7), is convinced he will knock out the 13-time Irish amateur champion in his own backyard.

“I know I’m a much better fighter than I showed last time and I’ll show that on Saturday night,” Crocker asserted at Thursday’s press conference. “I believe I knock Paddy Donovan out, without a doubt.”

In response, Donovan retorted: “It is my time. My confidence is through the roof. Lewis is a good fighter; I’m not going to take that away from him. He does a lot of things good, but he makes a lot of mistakes and I’m going to take advantage of them.

“I’m looking the best I’ve ever been, even better than the last time. No matter what he tries to do or his gameplan, it doesn’t matter… I know the way Lewis is, I know the man he is, and I’m going to end Crocker’s career on Saturday night.”