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Jamie Conlan says time is needed to build Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan into Irish superfight

Boxing returns to Belfast tonight with Lewis Crocker topping the card against Jose Felix.

Welterweight Crocker overcame underdog status to whitewash local rival Tyrone McKenna just last month. Joining Crocker’s undercard is fellow 147-pounder Paddy Donovan. He takes on Argentina's Williams Andres Herrera, following on from a show stealing fourth round knockout performance over Danny Ball in Dublin last November. 

Ireland’s imagination has been encapsulated by the thought of Belfast’s Crocker squaring off with Limerick’s Donovan. Fight week has seen no difference, with every reporter in the country goading both men for news on the yet to be made all-undefeated clash. 

Promoter Jamie Conlan will be keeping a watchful eye over his charge Crocker tonight in Belfast on Matchroom’s DAZN broadcast. 

“It is a massive fight,” Conlan said, exclusively to ProBox TV. “I would agree with the boys on both sides getting paid fairly for the fight. It is intriguing. It could be best to get them both on the same card and see how they go. You could get them on one or two cards, and then you can build the hype up, because it does need to grab the imagination of the people. It is a fight that both lads would need to be well paid for.

“It is a huge fight, it is a huge fight for Ireland. It is a fight that can really propel one of them to world title honours. Both of them have that inspiration to be there. So it is a risky fight for both men. It’s a great clash of styles, a great clash of personalities. Yeah, a really good fight.”

Crocker’s record stands at 18-0 (10 KOs) at 27 years of age. Donovan holds a record of 12-0 (9 KOs) and is two years younger than the Belfast man.