PADDY DONOVAN’S shot at retribution against Lewis Crocker could come outdoors at Windsor Park this summer.

The IBF are currently considering an appeal from Team Donovan regarding his disqualification defeat against Crocker on March 1 in their final eliminator for the welterweight title.

That night, referee Marcus McDonnell threw the previously undefeated Limerick man out at the end of the eighth after he dropped Crocker with a punch that appeared to land marginally after the bell.

Donovan and his trainer Andy Lee were furious with the decision and they, along with Donovan’s co-manager Keith Sullivan, immediately appealed to the IBF about the result, in a bid to force an immediate rematch.

The pair had met to decide who would next challenge Ring Magazine No.1 Jaron Ennis for his IBF 147lb belt.

Now Eddie Hearn, who promoted the show at the SSE Arena, believes the IBF are close to declaring their decision on the appeal. And, although he admits it could still go either way, the Matchroom boss is already eying a huge rematch at Windsor Park in Belfast.

He told The Ring: “Team Donovan lodged an appeal with the IBF regarding the decision and I believe the result of that is imminent so we will find out very soon.

“Honestly I think it’s 50:50 on what way they will go so we will see. It’s an independent panel with the IBF, of real boxing people, and they will have to make a decision. Both teams have submitted their case and the result is imminent.

“Realistically, if there is a rematch, you’ll see it outdoors at the back end of the summer. And hopefully that will be at Windsor Park.”

The 25,000-capacity venue is the national football stadium in the north of Ireland and has hosted huge boxing events before. Most notably, Carl Frampton, one of Belfast’s most famous boxers, stopped Luke Jackson at the top of a card which also featured Tyson Fury’s victory over Francesco Pianeta.

A fight at Windsor Park would once again hand 21-0 (11) Crocker, who is from Sandy Row in Belfast, home advantage against Donovan, who hails from Limerick in the south.