Eddie Hearn revealed he is "very close" to agreeing a deal with the Irish government for the rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan to take place outdoors at Windsor Park.

The Irish welterweights have been ordered to meet again by the IBF following their controversial final eliminator clash in Belfast on March 1.

That night, Donovan had built up a sizeable lead on the cards but was disqualified by referee Marcus McDonnell for flooring his opponent after the bell to end the eighth round.

Following an appeal from Team Donovan, the IBF decided a rematch is required to see which of them secure the next shot at their 147lb title.

However, with the news that current champion Jaron Ennis is set to vacate his belt and move up to junior middleweight, it seems likely that Crocker-Donovan II will no longer be a final eliminator but instead a world title fight.

As reported by The Ring last month, that development opened the door for the fight to take place at the 25,000 Windsor Park stadium after Hearn had previously suggested that it would happen at Odyssey Arena.

And, during a further interview with The Ring this week, the Matchroom boss said talks have gone well with the Irish government and a deal could now be imminent for the first all-Irish world title fight to take place at Windsor Park.

He said: “We’ve been in talks with the government there and we are very close to creating an iconic moment in Belfast. We hope to be able to do it.

“With Boots potentially moving up to 154lb, that would make Lewis Crocker against Paddy Donovan for the IBF world welterweight title. When are you going to get an all-Irish clash for the world welterweight title? It’s massive and that took our attention the Odyssey to Windsor Park.

“Watch this space. You will see the Crocker-Donovan rematch and I believe you’ll probably see that for the world title once Boots makes his final decision. If that is the case, it will be a monster.”