In a dramatic night of boxing in Belfast, Lewis Crocker emerged victorious in his IBF world title eliminator against Paddy Donovan amidst controversy. Donovan faced disqualification after delivering a punch post-bell in the eighth round. This decision handed Crocker, who endured multiple challenges during the match, a crucial victory. The evening also witnessed Ruadhan Farrell securing a win over Gerard Hughes and Steven Ward triumphing against Tommy McCarthy in an all-Belfast clash.
Ruadhan Farrell kicked off the night with a commendable performance, winning a 79-73 points decision over Gerard Hughes in their super-bantamweight bout. Farrell's technique and strategy were on full display as he outmaneuvered Hughes, maintaining control throughout the match.
The night progressed with an electrifying showdown between Steven Ward and Tommy McCarthy. Ward secured a sixth-round stoppage over McCarthy, delighting the local crowd with his resilience and skillful execution. This victory marked a significant achievement for Ward in the keenly anticipated all-Belfast encounter.
However, the highlight of the night was undoubtedly the bout between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan. The match was fraught with intensity and challenges for both fighters. Despite Crocker being knocked down twice in the sixth round by Donovan's powerful left and right punches, he managed to maintain his composure. A cut over Crocker's right eye appeared in the third round, adding to the physical toll of the fight.
Donovan’s aggressive approach led to multiple infractions. Points were deducted from him in rounds six and eight due to the use of the elbow and head, further complicating his path to victory. A substantial welt formed under Donovan's left eye by the end of the fourth round, showcasing the fierce nature of the bout.
The controversial disqualification occurred at the end of the eighth round. Donovan was penalized for landing a punch after the bell, a decision that sparked debate and dissatisfaction.
"We're going to appeal the decision and I want an automatic rematch right on the spot." – Paddy Donovan
Donovan expressed his frustration with the outcome, citing his belief that his punch was legal.
"The crowd is ferocious in here. They say I hit him after the bell, but I thought I hit him on the bell," – Paddy Donovan
Despite the setback, Donovan remained convinced of his superiority during the match.
"You can see Lewis was a beaten man and I won the fight fair and square. The ref took my dreams away tonight." – Paddy Donovan
With this victory, Crocker extended his unbeaten record to 21-0, while Donovan suffered his first professional defeat, which has left an indelible mark on his career trajectory.
Elsewhere on the card, Kurt Walker improved his record to 12-0 with a majority decision win over Leon Woodstock. Walker's tactical prowess and endurance were key in securing this victory, adding another win to his growing record.
In contrast, Padraig McCrory faced an eighth-round loss to Craig Richards. This defeat marked a setback for McCrory as Richards demonstrated superior technique and power throughout their bout.
In another quick yet dramatic contest, Shauna Browne was sensationally knocked out by Elif Nur Turhan just 43 seconds into their WBC lightweight eliminator. Turhan's rapid assault left spectators stunned as Browne was unable to recover from the early onslaught.
Rounding off the night's events, Jack O'Neill and Aaron Bowen emerged victorious with points decisions in their respective undercard matches. Their performances highlighted their potential and promise within the boxing community.
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