Lee Urges 'ruthless' Donovan In Crocker Rematch

Andy Lee has urged Paddy Donovan to beryllium "ruthless" erstwhile he takes connected Lewis Crocker for nan vacant IBF welterweight world title connected 13 September successful Belfast.

Donovan was successful a commanding position erstwhile he first faced Crocker connected 1 March but was disqualified astatine nan extremity of nan eighth round for punching aft nan bell, pursuing 2 earlier points deductions for usage of nan caput and elbow.

Following his disqualification, Donovan's squad successfully lobbied for a rematch which was granted by nan IBF, but nan consequence of nan first conflict stood.

That first conflict was a last eliminator for nan title, but pinch Jaron 'Boots' Ennis since vacating to move up to nan light-middleweight division, nan title is now connected nan statement for nan rematch to beryllium staged astatine Windsor Park.

The opportunity to dress up for his disappointment past clip is simply a motivating facet but Lee, Donovan's caput coach, does not judge his man needs to drastically alteration overmuch arsenic broadside from ending nan statement arsenic soon arsenic nan chance presents itself.

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

"Does he go much fierce aliases effort to beryllium much adventurous pinch his punch output? If he does, he's going to time off himself much open.

"My proposal to Paddy is to beryllium ruthless and erstwhile you get your chance, return him out. He mightiness person had nan chance past clip but was enjoying it excessively much, truthful now he has to spell retired location and drawback his title."

It would beryllium thing of a afloat circle infinitesimal should Donovan look victorious arsenic though a autochthonal of Limerick, Belfast has been thing of a location venue.

Five of his erstwhile 15 master contests person taken spot successful nan city, including his debut backmost successful 2019 - for which Lee was successful his corner.

Returning to Belfast for this immense nighttime does not clasp immoderate fears for combatant and coach pinch Lee suggesting it would beryllium fitting that Donovan is crowned world champion successful nan city.

"I started retired pinch Paddy arsenic an amateur," he said of their travel together.

"This is his sixth clip fighting successful Belfast and he's ever had a awesome reception, truthful we consciousness astatine location here. I person a awesome affinity pinch Belfast, trained present galore times and fought a mates of times myself, truthful it's a awesome boxing city.

"It's beautiful that he (Donovan) started his profession present and he'll triumph his world title here."