Lewis Crocker plans to defend his IBF welterweight title at Windsor Park next spring. He won the vacant belt by beating Paddy Donovan by split decision in September before a packed crowd at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium. Their bout, a rematch of Donovan’s disqualification in March, brought boxing back to Windsor Park for the first time since Carl Frampton defeated Luke Jackson in August 2018.
Officials have set the defence for 11 April, and promoters expect to announce an opponent within two weeks. Crocker remains unbeaten in 22 professional contests and continues to call for a future fight with Conor Benn, who stopped Chris Eubank Jr in their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rematch on 15 November.
Talk Surrounding Potential Opponents
Before Benn’s win over Eubank Jr, Jamie Conlan, Crocker’s manager, told BBC Sport NI that Benn and WBC champion Mario Barrios could suit the 28-year-old. Benn later told Boxing News that Crocker “is not really a name that is on my radar,” reducing expectations of an immediate matchup.
Outlook After the April Bout
Crocker aims to secure another victory in April to maintain momentum. If he wins, promoters expect him to enter the ring again in late summer.
