Lewis Crocker thrilled his home fans at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, as he saw off the dangerous Jose Felix in the fifth round of their clash at welterweight.
Crocker (19-0, 11 KOs) had missed weight by three pounds on Friday, meaning only Felix (40-7-1, 31 KOs) could claim the vacant WBO Intercontinental title belt on offer.
The Mexican was coming off an upset third round win against Gary Cully in Dublin last May, but that was at lightweight, and he looked much smaller than Crocker on fight night.
‘The Croc’ had seen off Tyrone McKenna over ten rounds in his most recent outing in December.
It was a brisk start by both, and it was give-and-take action through the first couple of rounds.
The home favourite upped the ante in the third, landing with power shots, and Felix was docked a point for a low blow.
The fourth saw Crocker let his hands go, and a well-timed body shot dropped the 31-year-old heavily, but he bravely beat the count.
The end was a round later in coming, as the Crocker uncorked a left hook that flattened his rival towards the bottom rope, and the fight was wisely waved off during the count.
WHAT A KO, courtesy of @LewisCrocker1 🙌#CrockerFelix pic.twitter.com/Uuz8o3p4f0
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 27, 2024
Clarke crushes McCarthy
In the chief support, Cheavon Clarke claimed the vacant WBA Intercontinental cruiserweight title with a fourth round stoppage of former European champion, Tommy McCarthy.
Clarke (8-0, 6 KOs) went to work from the off, landing with several spiteful punches in the first round, but McCarthy (20-6, 10 KOs) dug in under heavy fire, although he was wobbled by some chopping shots right at the end of the third.
The writing was on the wall and McCarthy was down from several meaty shots at the start of round four, and although he bravely carried on, he was outgunned, and a massive uppercut followed by body shots forced the referee’s intervention.
Donovan sees off Herrera
Paddy Donovan retained his WBA Continental welterweight title, overcoming a mid-fight wobble to stop Williams Andres Herrera (15-3, 6 KOs) in the seventh round.
Donovan (13-0, 10 KOs) started well, but then struggled with the pace in the middle rounds, yet found a second wind to score victory.
The Irishman found a breakthrough in the seventh, connecting with a left hand to the body that floored the Argentine, and another attack to the body on the resumption had him on the deck once more, with the contest waved off soon after.
During fight week, Matchroom CEO Frank Smith talked up a potential showdown between Donovan and Crocker if both came through successfully.
Walker continues impressive run
Conah Walker (13-2-1, 5 KOs) made a successful defence of his WBA International welterweight title, building on an upset win against Cyrus Pattinson by halting Lloyd Germain in the third round of their contest.
Germain (9-1, 1 KO) was down from a measured and frenzied attack in the third, and was down twice more before the referee had seen enough.
The Wolf retains his WBA International Welterweight Title 🐺@conah_walker drops and stops Lloyd Germain in the third! 💥💥💥#WalkerGermain | @DAZNBoxing | #CrockerFelix pic.twitter.com/QpxRgreWEU
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 27, 2024
Remaining Undercard
Kurt Walker (10-0, 1 KO) went the distance yet again, taking all six rounds at super featherweight against Darwing Martinez (8-18-2, 6 KOs), while Giorgio Visioli (2-0, 2 KOs) impressed, stopping Samuel Pikire (4-3) in the second of their scheduled six rounder at lightweight.
Emmanuel Buttigieg (2-0, 1 KO) kicked off the show, and he went the full four rounds before defeating Artjom Spatar (4-5, 1 KO) by a 40-36 scoreline in their middleweight meeting.
What a crisp short left from @GiorgioVisioli that sent Samuel Pikire packing 😤#CrockerFelix pic.twitter.com/u3Jfmg2sJB
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 27, 2024
