Crocker claimed the vacant IBF welterweight title after knocking down Limerick rival Paddy Donovan twice during a gripping 12-round contest – the second between the two fighters this year.

The jubilant scenes inside Windsor were also matched by fans of Crocker online, with both Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill and the DUP’s Emma Little-Pengelly offering their congratulations.

In a post on X, Ms O’Neill wrote: “We have a new world champion, massive congratulations to Lewis Crocker. A phenomenal achievement!

“Commiserations to Paddy Donovan, a top-class fighter who gave it his all. Please review your details and accept them to load the content

"It’s been an incredible year for our local athletes, competing and achieving at the very highest level of sport.

“A powerful source of

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