Paddy Donovan gunning for Lewis Crocker trilogy after dropping Karen Chukhadzhian twice in eliminator

Paddy Donovan drops Chukhadzhian twice to set up potential trilogy with rival Crocker

Irish southpaw Paddy Donovan (15-2, 11 KOs)returned to winning ways and set up a potential trilogy fight with Lewis Crocker by beating Ukrainian Karen Chukhadzhian (26-4, 14 KOs) in an IBF world welterweight title eliminator on Friday night.

The Limerick man travelled to Mannheim, Germany, on the back of his two losses to Irish rival Lewis Crocker.

'The Real Deal' Donovan dominated proceedings right from the off, fighting on the counter as he knocked the 30-year-old Kyiv man down twice on his way to a majority decision win.

Two of the judges scored the bout 115-111 and 114-112 in favour of 'The Real Deal', while the other had different as a 113-113 draw.

"Karen Chukhadzhian is one of the best fighters in the world and we knew this," the elated Irishman said

"This was our toughest task that we ever had to face. It was even harder coming to Germany, but I came here and put on a tremendous performance for the fans.

"And now it's back for the trilogy. Come on Lewis Crocker! We're back baby!"

The unbeaten Belfast boxer defends his IBF World welterweight title in Australia to Liam Paro next month, June 24. Donovan hopes that a victory for 'The Croc' Down Under could lead to a third fight between the pair on Katie Taylor's intended Croke Park card in September.

27-year-old Donovan added, "This means the world to me. I want to thank my team. Eddie for backing me with two losses on my record.

"Matchroom are known for getting rid of fighters after two (defeats), but he believed in me and he has trust in me. Tonight I delivered in a big, big fight.

"I want to thank my dad, my brothers, my family and a special mention to Andy Lee, who trusted me from the start. Without him and my father I'd be nothing."