The rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan has been officially upgraded to a world title fight, with the vacant IBF welterweight belt now on the line. Promoters Matchroom Boxing confirmed on Thursday that the title previously held by American Jaron 'Boots' Ennis would be the prize for the winner of the rematch.

This bout will be historic as it marks the first time two boxers from the island of Ireland have met in a world title fight. While a date and venue are yet to be confirmed, Saturday, 13 September has been floated as a potential date, with Windsor Park, the home of the Northern Ireland football team, being the preferred venue.

In June, Matchroom Boxing chief executive Frank Smith told BBC Sport NI that things were "moving in the right direction" for the fight to take place at the football stadium and that talks with the Irish Football Association had been "positive".

The first meeting between the pair on 1 March was a final eliminator for the IBF title and ended in controversial fashion, with Crocker taking the win by disqualification in front of an 8,500-strong crowd at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Donovan, who had twice previously been deducted points, was thrown out at the end of the eighth round for punching after the bell.

An appeal from Donovan's team resulted in the IBF granting a rematch, which would again serve as a final eliminator for the world title. However, with champion Ennis moving up to the light-middleweight division, the belt became vacant, setting the stage for this high-stakes showdown.

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