From Windsor Park to the World: Could Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan get world title rematch?

There are two sides to every story, sometimes even three or four or even more. But fight fans were relatively unified in the narrative that unfolded on a cold March night in Belfast.

Lewis Crocker was on the back foot, struggling to find top gear against Paddy Donovan. The Northern Irishman could not contend with his Limerick rival from across the border.

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Then, the moment that changed everything. A blow that sent him to the canvas - and to referee Marcus McDonnell, to victory, as his opponent was disqualified for the hit.

It was the latest infraction Donovan had been cited for, after excessive use of the elbow and head, with points deducted on each occasion, and the official had seen enough.

There had been more than local rivalry on the line for both men, their records unbeaten before their eight-round encounter at the SSE Arena, their reputations at a career high.

The victory would be rewarded with the mandatory challenger slot to pursue Jaron 'Boots' Ennis for his IBF welterweight title, and a chance to join the list of Irish world champions.

It was small wonder that Donovan and his team instantly stressed they would press for a rematch in the immediate aftermath, though Crocker's entourage seemed less inclined.

Yet, as fate would have it, both men now seem poised to get what they want - and with an altogether bigger prize on the line that could elevate their names into the history books.

With Ennis set to call time on his welterweight career and move up a division to bid for two-weight champion status, his IBF and WBA crowns are left searching for a new holder.

After the former agreed to sanction a rematch following Donovan's request, the deal had been the same again - a chance to bid for the mandatory position to challenge Boots.

Now, as he departs to super-welterweight, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith appears confident that the pair's upcoming second dance will be for the full belt itself, likely in September.

"Any day that should be finalised," he told BBC Sport NI. "Hopefully in the coming days we'll have an update on that and confirmation from the IBF that it'll be for a full world title.

"That will obviously add a big storyline to the fight. The first fight ended in controversy and this is their chance to prove who deserves to get that win and become world champion."

There are few bones to be made about it - what was at first a grudge match with elevated stakes is now poised to become one of the biggest bouts in Irish boxing history.

Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Discussions are underway with the Irish Football Association (IFA) to stage the event at Windsor Park, breaking further ground for homegrown stars on their own soil.

Such an event could command the biggest domestic fight gate in Northern Irish history, and would draw fans from all corners of Ireland as a whole to see a world title fight unfold.

For Donovan, it is a remarkable turnaround, particularly as Crocker's trainer Billy Nelson was insistent no rematch would come to pass before the IBF stepped in with an order.

He had been seemingly up on the cards at nearly every stage of the contest in the spring, showcasing fast hands and a relentless flurry as he sought to pierce his foe's defence.

Now, not only does he get what he believes is a second fair shot, but he may get to do so in front of one of the biggest crowds of his career, with the biggest prize on the line.

For Crocker, it is a chance to rectify the mistakes of a first fight that he could well have worked his way back into, but otherwise remains a victory with an asterisk next to his name.

Victory against Donovan will banish any questions over his performance in the first, and fully legitimise his ascension to the full IBF belt as he bids to sit at the top of the division.

Either way, if Matchoom and Smith can pull it off, Windsor Park will head to the world - and its two stars will see their names up in the lights the likes of which they've never seen.

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