Paddy Donovan has vowed to end Lewis Crocker’s career when they clash for the IBF welterweight title at Windsor Park on Saturday night.

The pair will meet just six months on from the night Donovan was disqualified for dropping Crocker with a punch that referee Marcus McDonnell deemed to be after the bell.

The decision left Donovan in tears and confirmed the first and only defeat of his career to date but he was given the chance of immediate revenge when the IBF ordered a rematch.

They have also sanctioned the fight for their vacant welterweight title following Jaron Ennis’ decision to move up and therefore relinquish his 147-pound titles.

Donovan (14-1, 11 KOs) was ahead on all three cards at the time of the stoppage and has been made a significant favourite for the rematch, which will be broadcast live on DAZN, given how he dominated much of the initial encounter.

And at Thursday’s final press conference in Belfast, the 26-year-old from Limerick insisted that his victory will be so decisive that Crocker (21-0, 11 KOs) will never box again.

“It is my time,” Donovan said. “I’ve worked extremely hard in the gym. My confidence is through the roof and you’re going to see on Saturday night just how good I am.

“I know the way Lewis is, I know the man he is, I know everything about Lewis and I can read him like a book.

“I’m going to put an end to Crocker’s career on Saturday night. I’m going to stop Lewis Crocker.

“Lewis is a good fighter who does a lot of things good but he makes a lot of mistakes. I just think I can capitalise on them. I think I’m a better puncher who has more skill, more heart and with a better engine.

“I’m better in every department than Lewis and I just can’t wait to run up on him.”

Should Donovan win at the 20,000-capacity Windsor Park, which played host to Carl Frampton’s 2018 world title win against Luke Jackson, he will become his trainer Andy Lee’s first world champion. And Donovan would do so back in the city where he made his professional debut in October 2019.

He added: “It has been a great ride, a great journey since my amateur days. I made my debut in Belfast and it is actually my seventh professional fight in Belfast.

“I’ve practically made it my home. I’m delighted to be here and there are some of the best fans in the world in Belfast and whether they are with me or against me, the stadium is always rocking. To be back here fighting for a world title is a dream come true.”

There are few outside of Crocker’s team who are predicting the Belfast native, who will be backed by a vociferous home support, will emerge from Saturday night as world champion. But he was equally bullish when it came to making a final prediction.

“Now I will silence all the doubters,” Crocker said. “I know I’m a much better fighter than I was last time. I believe I knock Paddy Donovan out, without a doubt.

“I just feel like the stars are aligned for me this time. There will be 20,000 people there and I’m fighting for a world title. Who would have actually dreamed this? Saturday can’t come quick enough. It’s a boyhood dream.

“The last fight was massive even before the result. But Saturday is the highest stage and it’s what you get into boxing for.”