ANDY LEE is hoping for a positive response from the IBF as early as next week after an official appeal regarding Paddy Donovan’s controversial DQ defeat to Lewis Crocker was lodged.

Donovan had boxed beautifully through eight rounds against Belfast man Crocker at the SSE Arena on March 1. The Limerick southpaw had built up a healthy lead on all three cards despite point deductions for use of the head in both the sixth and the eighth.

But worse was to follow a split second after the bell had sounded to end the round, when Donovan floored Crocker heavily. Referee Marcus McDonnell decided to disqualify him there and then, handing Donovan his first professional defeat.

His trainer and manager Lee was seething at the decision, labelling it a robbery and branding McDonnell a disgrace for his decision to end the fight, which was a final eliminator for the IBF world welterweight title, in such circumstances.

And former WBO world middleweight champion Lee did not stop there. Within an hour of the fight, Donovan’s co-manager Keith Sullivan notified the IBF of their intention to appeal the result. A lengthy written appeal has now been officially lodged with the New Jersey based sanctioning body, who are awaiting Crocker’s response.

Now Lee is hoping the IBF order an immediate rematch so Donovan can ‘right the wrong’ from Belfast.

“The appeal has been lodged,” Lee told The Ring.

“And it’s a very strong appeal put in on behalf of Paddy by myself and co- manager Keith Sullivan. It’s very thorough, with a lot of evidence.

“Listen, we don’t know what the outcome is going to be but we put our best foot forward, that’s all we can do. Now we wait to see what happens. My understanding is that it should be sorted next week.”

When asked whether he wants the result to be changed to a No Contest, Lee added: “If the decision stands, the decision stands. I don't care because Paddy beat him in every aspect except for the decision. We were immensely proud of him.

“But people want to see justice done and see Paddy get what should have happened in the first fight happen this time. People love a narrative and love a story. That's what builds big fights these days. Paddy doesn't need to beat Crocker again. Just that the controversy is there and there will be a will for people to see him right the wrong.”

Donovan and Crocker had met in a final eliminator for the IBF title currently held by Ring magazine No.1 Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who is scheduled to face WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis in a unification clash at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, where the Ring Magazine 147lb belt will be on the line, on April 12.

It has been suggested that Boots may look to vacate the belts and move up should he emerge victorious, which could open the door for the IBF to order Donovan and Crocker to rematch for the vacant belt.

“That’s an interesting scenario,” Lee adds. “It could all fall perfectly and the two guys rematch for that belt if Boots wins and vacates. But there’s no guarantees with any of that.

“Firstly, Boots winning the fight and secondly him vacating straight away. That’s not really our concern right now. We are just focused on the appeal and pushing on from there.”