LONDON, England — The imminent departure of Jaron Ennis from the welterweight division has reopened the door for the Paddy Donovan-Lewis Crocker rematch to take place outdoors at Windsor Park.

As reported by The Ring this week, Ennis is set to leave 147lbs — and his belts — behind as he plots a move to junior middleweight.

Ring champion Ennis holds the WBA and IBF titles, but they will become vacant if he does officially move up to 154lbs meaning a sea change at the top of the division.

And that could mean the ordered rematch between Donovan and Crocker, which was expected to be a final eliminator, could realistically be for the vacant IBF title instead.

A rematch taking place at Belfast's Windsor Park has previously been floated, but promoter Eddie Hearn had since confirmed that it will almost certainly head back to SSE Arena in a bid to ensure a sellout.

But during an interview with The Ring, the Matchroom boss has now revealed that exploratory talks have taken place about the fight landing at Windsor Park after all with the possibility that a new world welterweight champion will be crowned.

Hearn said: "There have been further conversations. We are talking to Windsor Park and the government.

"Obviously, for a world title it does change things significantly. I can't remember when there was an Irish welterweight world champion, I don't think there ever has been.

"It's a flagship division so you know the winner is just going to change their life forever. There are just huge stakes now.

"Originally our plan was to do that outdoors and now with the possibility of that being for the world title we are speaking to Windsor Park about a big outdoor event in September."

The pair initially fought in their final eliminator on March 3 at SSE Arena, with Donovan controversially disqualified after flooring Crocker with a shot that landed fractionally after the bell to end the seventh round.

But after a successful appeal from Team Donovan, which was lodged within hours of the result, the IBF ordered the pair to fight again to decide who will go on to fight for their 147lb belt.

Now, with Ennis set to vacate, there could be even more on the line when they clash for the second time.

Sports minister Gordon Lyons is involved in discussions, per the Belfast Telegraph, and he said: "I recently met with Lewis Crocker's management team to hear about plans for his highly anticipated rematch against Paddy Donovan in Belfast.

"I was excited to learn that the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park is one of the venues being considered. Hosting this fight at such an iconic location would not only elevate the stature of boxing in Northern Ireland but also showcase Windsor Park and Northern Ireland on the global stage."