BELFAST, Northern Ireland — Lewis Crocker sank to his knees, then the rest was a blur.

Six months after teetering dangerously towards a damaging career-first loss, Crocker's hand was suddenly — and sheepishly — raised in victory. This time, it was contentious but a well-deserved win, sweetened by doubts dominating the build-up to their immediate rematch.

"I knew this was my moment. I visualised hearing ... 'and the new...' but to do it in Belfast, it will never get any better than that moment."

Paddy Donovan was brilliant in March, but Team Crocker knew of the adjustments they needed to make to avoid a repeat. Now, they're managing a newly-minted IBF welterweight world champion.

In the post-fight press conference, Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) conceded he made himself an easy target first time around but wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

"I knew that I could box, gave him too big an easy target last time, knew if I gave him a false sense of security and draw him in. ... I clipped him with the first one and dropped him, knew I could land something big and did in the fifth.

"I knew I was hurting him when countering, everything was smart. Just takes one punch to change everything — that's what I did tonight. Nobody gave me a chance, absolutely nobody, I was a massive underdog."

Some questioned whether Crocker's reserved, understated demeanour during fight week was a quiet acceptance of the task at hand. Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) oozed confidence throughout it, as did his team headed by Andy Lee, but it didn't translate on a magnified stage second time around.

"I knew, just be calm, I love the underdog role and embraced it, was way more relaxed, he talked a bit to the crowd but once he got dropped, was maybe [thinking] I've talked all this about him and everything, now I'm on the back foot.

"It was incredible to have all the Belfast fans there, hearing 'and new' with my family and friends, a life-changing moment.

"I knew I was a much better fighter than what I showed, knew he was going to think I'd be the same and instantly once he missed that first shot thought, 'I've got my distance here', no easy target and everything in the build-up was about confidence. I made sure [to] let him know I'm not nervous at all. I slept like a baby last night, woke up feeling good, will sleep even better tonight."

So naturally, the storyline moves onto what's next? A potential Donovan trilogy is an enticing option after two very different fights between them, though far more lucrative opportunities are arriving.

Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn, who promotes both fighters, asserted as much when asked during the post-fight press conference.

"Paddy will get his shot again. We will make sure of it. He's a quality fighter. We'll speak to Jamie and the team, this is the opportunity to secure your financial future forever. Tonight was a nice payday, the last was decent, the plan is make sure you can buy your house and have a great life. If you win, it's just a game of snakes and ladders."

Crocker can't help but smile at that penultimate line, no doubt already thinking ahead about the newfound cache this career-best win has presented him. The welterweight division is again devoid of a clear No. 1 now that Terence Crawford and Jaron Ennis have departed the weight class in consecutive summers.

"Devin Haney, if he wins [against Brian Norman], Rolly Romero, Teofimo Lopez, these are the names ... never had a fight like that in Belfast, those kinds of names."

What about Conor Benn? He's already got a rematch of his own booked against Chris Eubank on November 15, but has repeatedly stressed a desire to move back down to the 147-pound division and test himself at world level.

"It's an easy fight to make. We had one more stand so could do that and some. It would fill up The O2 with some of you lot anyway. We've got a plan but have to make it count."

For now, Crocker can celebrate long into the night and let his team explore possibilities before an exciting next move. After staying composed in the cauldron and boxing astutely over 36 minutes with a style no one expected, he's earned it.