Lee urges 'ruthless' Donovan in Crocker rematch

Andy Lee has urged Paddy Donovan to be "ruthless" when he takes on Lewis Crocker for the vacant IBF welterweight world title on 13 September in Belfast.

Donovan was in a commanding position when he first faced Crocker on 1 March but was disqualified at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell, following two earlier points deductions for use of the head and elbow.

Following his disqualification, Donovan's team successfully lobbied for a rematch which was granted by the IBF, but the result of the first fight stood.

That first fight was a final eliminator for the title, but with Jaron 'Boots' Ennis since vacating to move up to the light-middleweight division, the title is now on the line for the rematch to be staged at Windsor Park.

The opportunity to make up for his disappointment last time is a motivating factor but Lee, Donovan's head coach, does not believe his man needs to drastically change much as side from ending the argument as soon as the chance presents itself.

"The tweaks are more on his (Crocker's) side," Lee told BBC Sport NI.

"Does he become more aggressive or try to be more adventurous with his punch output? If he does, he's going to leave himself more open.

"My advice to Paddy is to be ruthless and when you get your chance, take him out. He might have had the chance last time but was enjoying it too much, so now he has to go out there and grab his title."

It would be something of a full circle moment should Donovan emerge victorious as although a native of Limerick, Belfast has been something of a home venue.

Five of his previous 15 professional contests have taken place in the city, including his debut back in 2019 - for which Lee was in his corner.

Returning to Belfast for this huge night does not hold any fears for fighter and coach with Lee suggesting it would be fitting that Donovan is crowned world champion in the city.

"I started out with Paddy as an amateur," he said of their journey together.

"This is his sixth time fighting in Belfast and he's always had a great reception, so we feel at home here. I have a great affinity with Belfast, trained here many times and fought a couple of times myself, so it's a great boxing city.

"It's beautiful that he (Donovan) started his career here and he'll win his world title here."