Lewis Crocker silences doubters to deny Paddy Donovan redemption on buoyant Belfast night

Dark clouds percolate above the peak of Black Mountain. All the way down the hill, they hang low in waves, brush faintly against the copper-green roofs of Belfast's landmarks.

Pearls of drizzle tumble in fits and starts. Two men - one in an anorak and beanie, another in neon board shorts - disagree on whether the day will brighten as it wears on.

One thing unites them however - the belief that Paddy Donovan will get his chance at redemption in only a few hours, and set right the wrongs of March's loss to Lewis Crocker.

Neither has anything against the local favourite - indeed, one proudly shows his scarf that bears 'The Croc''s name - but in their heart of hearts, they cannot see a way for him.

They're not the only ones. All week long, from Wednesday's open workouts to Thursday's media briefing, and through to Friday's final weigh-in, the mood has skewed Donovan.

'The Real Deal' was in the box seat for victory six months ago at the SSE Arena, before he was disqualified for repeated illegal infringements while leading on the scorecards.

Since then, all signs point to only further improvement. A renwed focus, a dramatic new hairstyle, the stewardship of Andy Lee and the support of several big-name fighters.

When Donovan arrives at the ring, his trainer's fellow talent Joseph Parker is there, clad in a shirt that flies the Irish tricolour atop the breast, proudly adopted for the night.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Across the past few days, it has been the Limerick man seemingly on top, his swagger unmatched, his self-belief undimmed. For plenty of pundits, there is only one winner.

It's a shame for him, then, that nobody told Crocker.

Tactical change pays dividends for victor

Speaking in the ring after realising his dream, the star paid tribute to his opponent, and backed him to return sooner rather than later in a position to challenge for top honours.

It was a magnanimous phrase from a man who, for the second time in the space of a year, had emerged victorious over his opponent - and this time, without any caveats too.

Compartively buttoned-down and sedate until a last-gasp flush of raw emotion before his adoring public on Friday, Crocker has kept his own counsel throughout the festivities.

Many suggested it was anxiety or trepidation. Some suggested that the star was merely playing possum. Others, like Carl Frampton, indicated it was more down to self-respect.

March's victory has been read as hollow by many - including Crocker himself, up to a point - given that neither man ultimately had the final say or made it through the distance.

There is nothing hollow about this though; a calculated triumph that saw the star just do enough to give himself the edge over an operator who previously outboxed him in style.

A chance of tactical approach from Crocker paid dividends, very much the wolf in sheep's clothing - a cautious series of movements with the occasional invitation to lunge in.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Donovan bit, and twice paid the price. If the first knockdown came with him off-balance, then the second - a monster hook that flashed across his temple - had no such relief.

In his corner, Lee instructed him to regain control, and the star duly did so across the rest of the contest, pulling back rounds inch by inch - but ultimately, it was not enough.

Donovan left to consider next steps

Every now and again, a result rumbles through the skeleton of a division, sends shockwaves creeping up and down the spine, reframes the shape of the weight as we know it.

Crocker stands now where many expected Donovan to this weekend, in possession of a world title and with a plethora of options at his feet as how to next execute his moves.

Already, the star has namechecked Conor Benn as a potential opponent, and both the latter's fans and detractors would love to see him have a title shot, if for different reasons.

But the Briton is committed to a rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. in November, and may not return until the mid-spring next year. Crocker may not wish to wait eight months for it.

Then the IBF themselves will have a say in the matter. Body politics must enter the conversation again, with Ricardo Salas Rodriguez, Raul Curiel and Liam Paro all well-placed.

At the other end of the conversation however sits Donovan - a man whose own dreams of becoming world champion, while not iced for good, have taken a blow of their own.

The star will regroup and replan, ask questions over what comes next after two straight defeats. In both instances, he was in touching distance, perhaps unlucky to some.

But that does not change the reality. For him and Lee, they must figure out their future in a division littered with top operators - but also fractured and fragile. A shot may still come.

For now though, with the clouds above Black Mountain finally cleared to a sky full of stars, it is clearly the night for one man - and for now, Crocker can revel at the top of the world.

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