Dominant Paddy Donovan suffers DQ loss to Lewis Crocker

Paddy Donovan dominated Lewis Crocker in a raucous SSE Arena in Belfast but lost the fight after referee Howard Foster disqualified him for a punch that landed after the bell went at the end of the eighth round.

Donovan was in dazzling form, his nimble feet and fast hands were a puzzle Crocker could not solve and was comfortably ahead going into the eighth round of the IBF welterweight title eliminator.

But ultimately, he was his own worst enemy on the night.

The 'Real Deal' had already been docked two points for illegally using his head when he dropped Crocker with a left hook in the final minute of the eighth.

Crocker was back on his feet quickly, but Donovan let his hands go as he went for the kill. The bell had sounded when a right hook caught ‘Croc’ flush on the chin.

The late blow cost Donovan the fight. "I heard the bell and I dropped my hands," said Crocker.

Donovan's coach Andy Lee said McDonnell’s performance was "a disgrace" and his team has already called for a review of the decision and want a rematch in Dublin or Limerick.

"Marcus McDonnell’s performance was a disgrace," said Lee.

"Up there with the worst I’ve ever seen. Both guys were leaning in with their heads."

Eddie Hearn, the promoter of both fighters, wants to see a rematch.

"Paddy Donovan was controlling the fight," said Eddie Hearn "Paddy was sensational, but the shot was after the bell. Did it warrant an immediate disqualification?

"To be honest, I’d like to see it again. There’s going to be a lot of people who’ll want to see this fight again. The rematch of this fight is huge, but what will the IBF say? We’ll have to see how that plays out.

"Paddy Donovan made a mistake tonight that has cost him a shot at the world title."

Hearn suggested the rematch could