IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker says he is “looking forward to showing my new and improved self” when he makes the first defence of his title against Liam Paro in Brisbane on 24 June.
The Belfast man won the belt with a points win over Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park last September, but has since parted ways with coach Billy Nelson to team up with Huzaifah Iqbal.
Advertisement
While Nelson helped him realise a lifetime ambition last year, the defending champion feels he was getting a little “too comfortable” under his former coach and needed to change it up.
Despite the switch from Scotland to London, Crocker feels he is right at home and the decision to make the change will pay off when he takes on the former IBF light-welterweight champion at the Pat Rafter Arena.
“I just felt there was certain stuff I could be better at and the way I am now, it’s all worked out,” explained the 29-year-old, who has won all 22 of his professional contests.
“I know many more people in the new gym. I’ve Kieran Molloy, who I used to share rooms with when we were junior and youth [Irish amateur teammates] and live with now.
Advertisement
“The likes of [IBF light-middleweight champion] Josh Kelly is in the gym, Harlem Eubank and Kurt Walker, so all the boys train together and that is good.
“My set-up in Scotland was great, but I just felt it was too comfortable at stages and I’ve really pushed myself in this camp.”
The decision to part ways with Nelson raised some eyebrows considering the success they enjoyed, but Crocker feels his training has stepped up a gear in this camp.
“‘H’ [Iqbal] has been on the ball, worked me super hard,” he continued.
“From the first minute I got into the gym with him, he’d the iPad up and was putting in a structure, so we could see my numbers increasing over time. He’s very good with keeping track of everything, when to do this and that.”
Advertisement
‘Defending my title abroad is a dream’
Crocker was expected to have the opportunity to make a voluntary defence in his first fight since winning the title.
However, the IBF decreed that he must take on mandatory challenger Paro [27-1] after Donovan withdrew from a final eliminator with the Australian that was set for January.
After no agreement could be reached between both teams to thrash out a deal to stage the fight, Australian promoter No Limit won the purse bid and this has resulted in Brisbane’s Paro enjoying home advantage in his bid to become a two-weight champion.
Despite the long distance travelled for his maiden defence, Crocker has settled into his surroundings since arriving over two weeks out from fight night and is happy to have made the trip.
Advertisement
“When Paro became mandatory, I knew there was a chance it would be Australia,” he said.
“As a kid, you dream of stuff like this: being a world champion and fighting abroad, so it’s great.
“I’m over here with a world championship, fighting on a huge show. It’s meant to be winter here but this winter is better than our summer, so I can’t complain being here.”
More boxing from the BBC
Read the full article here