BELFAST – Within minutes of Paddy Donovan being disqualified in a fight he was winning against Irish rival Lewis Crocker, Donovan’s manager and attorney Keith Sullivan had written to the IBF.

Donovan and Crocker boxed in an IBF eliminator for the welterweight title at the SSE Arena in Belfast in front of a raucous crowd and Donovan was docked two points before a punch after the bell, which flattened Crocker, was deemed late by referee Marcus McDonnell, who having helped Crocker back to his feet subsequently raised the Belfast boxer’s hand in victory. 

“We’ve already filed to the IBF president Darryl Peoples back in the United States,” said New Yorker Sullivan. “He definitely should not have been disqualified. We’re definitely seeking that the mandatory title shot be held until there’s a rematch and we’re prepared to go forward on a hearing for the next week.”

Asked what he thought his chances of success were, Sullivan said: “Very good.”

Donovan’s trainer, Andy Lee, said: “We want an immediate rematch before they order a title fight with Crocker, it will be subject to an appeal, Keith Sullivan is already on the job and we will get justice.”

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes both fighters, believed a return was the fairest option moving forward but said the IBF situation, determined by a panel, would take a few days.

“I will say in this process there is no one fairer for the appeal process than the IBF,” said Hearn.

“I suggest there is a rematch. Whether that makes me unpopular with Lewis and Billy [Nelson]… I can’t sit here tonight and say that was a terrible decision. It’s a heat of the moment decision where the referee’s got to make a call. Now was he right or wrong? And in a situation where it’s a 50-50, generally there will be a rematch ordered. I will be saying there should be a rematch.”