Lewis Crocker has welcomed the IBF’s decision to order a rematch between he and Paddy Donovan.

A month has passed since Crocker, 21-0 (11 KOs), 14-1 (11 KOs), and Donovan, met in an IBF welterweight title final eliminator at Belfast’s SSE Arena.

Amid a tumultuous atmosphere, Donovan produced an outstanding display and appeared to be on his way to a famous victory until he landed two punches and dropped Crocker after the bell sounded to end a wild eighth round.

After previously taking two points away from Donovan for use of the head, referee, Marcus McDonnell, immediately disqualified the Limerick man.

Despite the deductions, Donovan was ahead on all three judges’ scorecards at the time of the stoppage and his team immediately contacted the IBF and lodged an appeal against McDonnell’s decision.

McDonnell’s controversial decision saw Crocker installed as the mandatory challenge to IBF 147lb champion, Jaron Ennis. The unbeaten Philadelphian is less than two weeks away from his unification fight with WBA welterweight champion, Eimantas Stanionis.

Since the fight, Crocker has been relaxing in Thailand.

The situation has moved on rapidly in the Belfast man’s absence. Last week, the IBF upheld Donovan’s appeal and declared that negotiations for a rematch should begin immediately and that the two should get back in the ring within 120 days.

Eddie Hearn - who represents both men - has mentioned that a rematch could be staged outdoors at Windsor Park.

Crocker - who explained that he had lost two phones whilst on holiday - is back home and back online and wasted little time in making his thoughts on the matter public.

Rather than being disappointed by the news, Crocker declared that he welcomes the opportunity to record an unarguable victory.

He posted the following;

“Literally just got my phone back and been able to get back on this so would like to address the rematch situation that the IBF ordered. I WANT the rematch, anyone who's asked me about my next fight l said I want the Donovan rematch. Not once have I mentioned anyone else or any other fight bar the rematch. Although I agree with the decision last time as a fighter I need to prove to everyone, the fans and to myself and make sure there's no doubt next time so we need to run it back!

“Time to get back to work LFGGGG

“VivaLaCroc”