A dramatic night at Belfast’s SSE Arena ended in controversy as Paddy Donovan was disqualified in his highly anticipated clash with Lewis Crocker.
The fight, which had been an intense and physical contest, with Donovan getting the better of Crocker, took an unfortunate turn when Donovan landed a shot after the bell that left Crocker unable to continue.
The Limerick fighter had already been warned throughout the bout, having been deducted two points for leading with his head, as well as being criticized by fans for the use of his elbow.
As the rounds progressed, the tension escalated, with both men trading heavy shots.
However, the turning point came at the end of the eighth round when Donovan threw and landed a punch after the bell, flooring Crocker, who claims to have dropped his guard at the sound of the bell, prompting the referee to step in and wave off the fight, awarding Crocker the victory via disqualification.
The result left the Belfast crowd divided, with some outraged at the disqualification while others argued that the referee had no choice given Donovan’s repeated rule infringements. Some suggest that Crocker being from Belfast gave him an unfair home advantage.
Crowd Brawls Mar Belfast Event
The drama wasn’t limited to the ring, as multiple crowd disturbances broke out in the SSE Arena.
Videos circulated online showing brawls among spectators, with security struggling to restore order.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has since launched an appeal for information regarding the incidents, urging anyone with footage to come forward.
Promoter Eddie Hearn voiced his frustration after the event, describing the situation as “a lot of anger” inside the arena. While he praised the atmosphere for its passion, he acknowledged that crowd trouble detracts from the sport and puts fans at risk.
Crocker’s former amateur stable mate, Caoimhin Agyarko posted on X about the divide:
Despite the ugly scenes both inside and outside the ring, the bout between Donovan and Crocker had showcased plenty of skill and intensity before its premature ending.
However, the nature of the disqualification and the unsavoury crowd incidents may overshadow what was shaping up to be a thrilling fight night in Belfast.
The fallout from the event is expected to continue in the coming days, with questions over whether a rematch between Donovan and Crocker could be on the cards.
