Crocker to box for 'all of Belfast' in Donovan bout

Unbeaten welterweights Lewis Crocker (left) and Paddy Donovan (right) will battle in an all-Irish IBF world welterweight title eliminator in Belfast on Saturday

Lewis Crocker says support from "all" of his native Belfast will help him overcome Limerick man Paddy Donovan in the all-Irish IBF world welterweight eliminator on Saturday night.

In the build-up to the contest at Belfast's SSE Arena, Donovan appeared to make a play for support from Belfast fight fans by reportedly referring to Crocker as being a "Rangers fan".

Donovan's coach, former world middleweight champion Andy Lee, moved to "squash" the issue at the start of Wednesday's pre-fight news conference in Belfast.

"Paddy was asked about Lewis being a Rangers fan - it was taken out of context in the headline," said Lee.

"That's not what it's about for us. These are two great fighters and you're in a for a treat."

Crocker was not convinced by Lee's explanation.

"He doesn't realise I represent all of Belfast. I'm from Sandy Row but I boxed for Holy Trinity," said Crocker, who like Donovan, has an unbeaten record going into the world title eliminator.

"It's not like that in Belfast - especially in sport. I think he knows he messed up and all of Belfast is behind me."

'Donovan meant to be superstar'

The contest is a battle between two unbeaten fighters, with Donovan's boxing skills making him a marginal favourite to add to his 14 career wins.

However, Crocker, who has won all his 20 fights and secured 11 knockout victories in the process, has vowed to end the Limerick man's unblemished record in emphatic fashion.

"My record will be 21 and 0 and with 12 KOs after Saturday, believe me," added the 28-year-old.

"Paddy was signed by Matchroom before me and he's meant to be the next superstar, but while he was fighting on big cards I was out of the ring dealing with problems and I just slowly built my way back up here. He's in for the shock of his life on Saturday."

Crocker added that sparring with former undisputed world light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor has helped prepare him for the challenge of taking on tricky southpaw Donovan.

Donovan, meanwhile, has trained alongside New Zealand's former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker in his build-up to Saturday's contest.

"I'm in the best shape of my life. I've had an amazing camp with Joseph Parker and I'm ready now in Belfast to put on a show."

First Belfast bill since Cooney death

Saturday's bill be the first professional boxing card in Belfast since the tragic death of Galway fighter John Cooney earlier this month after he sustained an intracranial haemorrhage in a bill at the Ulster Hall.

Promoter Eddie Hearn said that Cooney will be remembered at Saturday's event which is already close to an 8,000 capacity sell-out.

"It's a sport that provides great opportunities for young people, but it is a dangerous sport," added Hearn.

"Great fighters like John Cooney must always be remembered and we must always keep evolving as a sport. Saturday is a celebration of that sport which will be done in the right way."