Lewis Crocker beats Conah Walker to set up massive all-Ireland bout with Paddy Donovan

Lewis Crocker took his professional record to a perfect 20-0 with an unanimous decision victory over Conah Walker to claim the WBA International Welterweight Title on Saturday night in Birmingham.

But the Belfast man had to work harder than he's ever had to before as 'The Wolf', who came into the fight with a record of 13-2-1, pushed him all the way, with some at ringside stunned by the decision.

Crocker undoubtedly landed the heavier punches over the course of the ten-round contest, but although damage was clearly evident on Walker's face, especially to his right eye, he kept going right until the final bell and showed an incredible work rate throughout.

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However, the three judges at ringside all scored the bout in the 27-year-old's favour: 96-93,96-93, 95-94.

The win sets up a massive all-Ireland showdown with Paddy Donovan later this year, with the Limerick southpaw sitting ringside alongside his coach Andy Lee to watch Saturday's fight.

Crocker came into the Lion's Den to face Wolverhampton's Walker, who was roared on by a huge support and although Crocker had some fans of his own in attendance, the boos when his name was called out showed how much they were outnumbered at the Resorts World Arena.

Walker looked to close the distance and rough Crocker up in the opening round, with the Belfast man complaining of a punch to the back of his head early on.

But Crocker showed the power he possesses as he instructed his opponent to come forward in the opening rounds.

And come forward he did as the welterweight war predicted by many developed as such. Both men began to let their hands go in the third as Crocker began to land powerful combinations and unload with his jab, while Walker struggled to get through the Belfast man's defence.

The referee warned Walker of a low shot in fourth, but he kept up the relentless pressure. Crocker landed a few nice jabs in the second half of the sixth, but he looked to be in trouble with a minute left in the eighth as Walker got him to the ropes. Crocker laughed it off, but 'The Wolf' was the one who looked to have the momentum late on.

However, the referee deducted a point from him for hitting low in the ninth much to the fury of Walker's supporters, which was increased after Crocker hit low moments later. Although Walker was guilty of doing so far more than once.

Crocker landed some powerful punches in the penultimate round and both men kept swinging as the clock ticked down.

All three judges felt Crocker did enough to win, with Tony Bellew, who was ringside working for DAZN, strongly disagreeing with them.

Crocker was back in the ring just under five months after brutally knocking out Mexican Jose Felix, who previously handed Gary Cully the only defeat of his professional career at lightweight, at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

That victory came just eight weeks after he defeated Tyrone McKenna with a dominant display in the Battle of Belfast

The 27-year-old reiterated all this fight week that his sole focus was on Walker despite the potential Donovan bout on the horizon, but he can now concentrate on a massive North v South showdown later this year.

Donovan moved to 14-0 with the 11th stoppage win of his career over Newcastle's Lewis Ritson on the Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall 2 card in Leeds last month.

Crocker and Donovan, 25, are expected to clash before the end of the year, with Belfast's SSE Arena the most likely venue for the bout. The winner could go on to fight for a world title in 2025, with Eddie Hearn previously suggesting that the Matchroom-promoted Jaron 'Boots' Ennis, who holds the IBF world welterweight title, could be a possible opponent for whoever emerges victorious.

Ennis defends his belt against Russian-born and Nottingham-based David Avanesyan at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on July 13.

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