BELFAST PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING LEWIS CROCKER AND PADDY DONOVAN SAID AHEAD OF HISTORIC WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Sep 2025
The talking is over. The countdown to Saturday’s historic all-Irish IBF World Welterweight Title fight edges even closer.
Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan exchanged their final verbal blows before they collide at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
Matchroom Sport chairman Eddie Hearn is expecting an “electric night” with a crowd of almost 20,000 set for a memorable evening in Belfast.
Here’s everything that the main event fighters had to say ahead of Friday’s Weigh-In – open to the public at The ICC – and you can watch the Press Conference in full below to hear from the rest of the stacked, supporting cast – including a lively and unmissable confrontation between co-main event rivals, Ishmael Davis and Caoimhin Agyarko.
PRESS CONFERENCE: MAIN EVENT QUOTES
EDDIE HEARN:
This is one of our flagship events of the year and one of the nights I have been looking forward to most in 2025. On Saturday, live and exclusive on the global home of Boxing, DAZN, around the world, these two men will fight for the IBF World Welterweight Title in front of what is fast approaching 20,000 at Windsor Park in Belfast. 'Days Like This' – which is what we have called this show – are days we will never forget. For these two, of course, the narrative and the storyline couldn’t be any better. Last time out, the controversy after the victory for Lewis Crocker after Paddy Donovan was disqualified – then the rematch was ordered, before Jaron Ennis moves up. This time, these two will collide for the vacant World Title. This is flagship World Championship – a belt that has been won by some of the true greats of this Sport. A win will change both of their lives in this Sport forever. And these are the kind of nights that we live for here at Matchroom Boxing. The atmosphere will be sensational. We want to thank both fighters. Lewis Crocker has the whole city behind him, whilst Paddy Donovan brings his fanbase over from Limerick. We should make sure we all enjoy Saturday night because it is going to be really, really special. What a night of Boxing we have in store: Ishmael Davis vs Caomhin Agyarko: I cannot wait for this one. It’s a true 50-50, domestic fight with World Championship ramifications for the winner. We have Pat Brown in a step-up – for me, he is the future of the Cruiserweight and, eventually, the Heavyweight division. Tyrone McKenna vs Dylan Moran will be a brutal shootout. Molly McCann makes her professional debut in the sport, plus Aaron Bowen, all-Irish fights and so much more, it is going to be an electric night.
LEWIS CROCKER
The way things worked out last time, I just feel like the stars have alligned for me this time round. We’re approaching 20,000 fans here in Belfast – who would have dreamt this to actually happen? So, for me, Saturday cannot come quick enough. I want to thank everyone behind the scenes who has made this happen. It really is a boyhood dream. The last fight was massive, even before the result happened. So, going into this one it’s a great stage for both of us and it’s what you get into Boxing for. I just can't wait to silence all the doubters. I know I am a much better fighter than what I showed last time and on Saturday night, without a doubt, I will show that. I believe, without a doubt, that I knock Paddy Donovan out.
PADDY DONOVAN:
It is my time. First of all, I would like to thank Matchroom Boxing and everyone involved for making this fight possible here in Belfast. I’ve worked extremely hard in the gym and I know it is my time. I’m looking fantastic and it comes off the training camp that we had and the things we’ve been working on in the gym. My confidence is through the roof and you are going to see on Saturday night just how good I am. Look, Lewis is a good fighter – I’m not going to take that away from him. He does a lot of things well. But he also makes a lot of mistakes. I just think I can capitalise on those mistakes that he makes. I think I’m a better puncher, that I have more skill, I’ve got more heart, and I’ve got a better engine. I’m better in every single department than Lewis and I just can’t wait to rn up on him. As Andy said, I don’t care what Lewis can do or going to try. I’ve worked on a lot of new, specific things in the gym and I am looking the best I have ever been. This time round, it has been even a lot better than the last camp. So, my confidence is great and no matter what Lewis Crocker comes out trying to do, or his gameplan, it will be no good to him. When I become World Champion, it’s been a great ride and a great journey, from my amateur days to training with Andy [Lee] to 2019 when I made my debut here in Belfast – in fact, this will be my seventh fight here, so I have practically made it my home. I am delighted to be back here. Some of the best fans in the world are right here in Belfast. Let it be with me or against me, the arena or the stadium is always rocking. To be back here and fighting for a World Title, it’s dreams come true. Look, I know who is Lewis is. I know the man Lewis is. I know everything about Lewis. I can read him like a book. You are going to see on Saturday night why I am the better fighter. I am going to become World Champion – and I am going to put an end to Lewis Crocker’s career. I am going to stop Lewis Crocker.
BILLY NELSON (Lewis Crocker’s trainer):
Lewis has had a fantastic camp both in Glasgow and in Dubai. He’s exuding confidence and we’re ready to go on Saturday night. I just hope to God that he’s at 100% on the night, unlike the last night. We were very confident going into the first fight and it never quite worked out. But we are super confident this time for Saturday night.
ANDY LEE (Paddy Donovan’s trainer):
We are prepared for every outcome and for every time. The history of Boxing tells you that a fighter can’t really change that much. Paddy is well prepared for everything that anyone could bring. And, for me, it’s more about Paddy’s development as a fighter, not so much about the opponent – it’s about how my fighter is prepared and how he is looking. And when I look at Paddy in the ring, he just oozes the aura of a World Champion. I see it. When I look at great fighters over history, and when I look at him in person, Paddy has that thing. You can’t put your finger on it, but you know its a World Champion. I’d like to say thank you to Matchroom Boxing – to you, Eddie [Hearn] and Frank [Smith] – for putting this event on. And thank you to Lewis [Crocker] for taking this fight, and to Keith Sutherland, my co-manager for Paddy, who worked tremendously in getting this rematch mandated. Don’t forget, that is why we are here: because it was ordered and Keith did a fantastic job. Thank you to the people of Belfast. We’re in for a great night – and you are looking at the new World Champion, here to my right [pointing towards Paddy Donovan].
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