Paddy Donovan Revives Title Run With Karen Chukhadzhian Win, Calls For Lewis Crocker Trilogy

Donovan survived a late rally and two disputed scorecards after dropping Chukhadzhian twice in their IBF welterweight eliminator in Germany

Paddy Donovan kept his welterweight title hopes alive Friday night by defeating Karen Chukhadzhian in a tense IBF final eliminator at the SAP Arena in Germany. Donovan used early movement, sharp combinations, and two knockdowns to build enough separation on the scorecards before surviving heavy pressure late and immediately calling for a third fight with Lewis Crocker.

The judges scored the fight 115-111, 114-112 and 113-113.

The fight turned around two knockdowns scored by Donovan in the sixth and eighth rounds.

The first came from a short left hand that dropped Chukhadzhian onto the seat of his trunks. The second became controversial after the Ukrainian argued he had been pushed to the canvas rather than hit cleanly.

Donovan celebrated at the end of the eighth round knowing the knockdown could become the difference on the scorecards.

“Karen Chukhadzhian is one of the best fighters in the world and we knew this,” Donovan said after the fight.

“Now it’s back for the trilogy, come on Lewis Crocker. We’re back.”

Chukhadzhian steadily increased the pressure after the middle rounds and landed several clean right hands as Donovan spent longer periods trading instead of circling away.

The Ukrainian also continued targeting the body and finished many exchanges stronger down the stretch.

Donovan entered the fight after consecutive defeats against Lewis Crocker earlier this year. Their first meeting ended in a disqualification after Donovan landed a late punch before Crocker won the rematch by split decision.

Friday’s win pushes Donovan back toward another welterweight title fight and potentially a third meeting with Crocker later this year.

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