Lewis Crocker knows that he will need to produce a career-best performance if he is to beat Paddy Donovan in their upcoming IBF welterweight world title rematch.

Back on March 1, Donovan had established firm control of their intense first meeting and dropped a hurt Crocker towards the end of the eighth round.

As bedlam descended in Belfast's SSE Arena, Donovan continued to punch as the bell to end the round sounded, landing another hard right hook that floored Crocker heavily.

Donovan was subsequently disqualified and a bloodied Crocker was declared the winner by disqualification. A rematch was an inevitability and the stakes have been raised.

On September 13, the pair return to Belfast. This time, around 20,000 fans are expected to fill Windsor Park and the winner will leave as the IBF champion. Despite having his hand raised first time around, Crocker will walk to the ring as a sizeable underdog.

"Did it feel like a victory that night? Absolutely not," Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) said during Matchroom’s “Make The Days Count” show.

"I took no pride in that whatsoever. It didn't feel like a loss either."

The late, final punch of the night has dominated headlines and conversation ever since it landed but the intense fight was filled with controversy from the start.

The two quickly became embroiled in a rough, close quarters battle. Crocker absorbed plenty of hard punches from the talented Donovan but was also subjected to several fouls and the Limerick man lost two points for use of the head before the contentious ending.

As controversy raged in the corridors of the SSE Arena, Crocker sat in the medical room where he received 22 stitches after a series of head clashes and stray elbows.

Given time to think, he decided almost immediately that there had to be a rematch.

"I would always dwell on that night if I didn't run it back with Paddy so it was important that it had to be made," he said.

"Honestly, hand on heart, it was the first call that I made to my manager next day to get that fight made.

"I have another opportunity here to make the wrongs right this time. If I'm to win this fight, I have to put on a performance of my life."

Before the first fight, both men had questions to answer regarding their ability to succeed at the highest level and opinions were split on who would prevail.

Officially, Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) now has a loss on his record but the 26-year-old produced an eye-opening display showing some previously unseen parts of his game. While proving to be the better boxer, he also matched Crocker for strength and toughness.

Crocker never quite found his range or timing but, worryingly for the Belfast man, the clubbing, heavy shots that he did land seemed to have little effect on Donovan.

Only he and Donovan know exactly what went on between the ropes but Crocker seems aware that he needs to produce an entirely different performance if he is to turn things around and become the IBF champion on September 13.

"Every man who I fight, you always want to take their head off. When me and him are in there that night, there'll be no love whatsoever," he said.

"If he’s preparing for the same guy who he fought in March he'll be in for the shock of his life."