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Belfast teen KO sensation to turn pro with major promoter

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Heavy-handed Belfast teenager Lewis Crocker is to turn professional.

The Holy Trinty fighter, formerly of Cairn Lodge, is to make the switch to the pros under British promotional giant Frank Warren, and will be guided in his career by legendary promoter Barney Eastwood – the man behind Barry McGuigan.

Crocker, a welterweight in the amateurs, holds the record for the fastest KO in Irish amateur boxing history – and perhaps even World boxing history – for this stunning twelve-second stoppage of Michael Jobson at the Totana Box Cup in Spain last year.

The effort was voted KO of the Year at the inaugural Irish-Boxing.com awards

The 19 year old will be trained by veteran Belfast coach John Breen – who also handles the careers of Paddy Gallagher, Feargal McCrory, and Ruairi Dalton.

The seven-time Irish underage champion became disillusioned with amateur boxing last year due to his non-selection for the Northern Irish team for the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa, and has long been tipped to ditch the vest.

Crocker has been described as the “best kid in the country,” by Belfast’s two-weight World champion Carl Frampton, and the youngster spent time training with ‘The Jackal’ in London earlier this Summer.

On the move, Crocker described how he “always preferred the pro game as it suits my style far better as I’m not one who wants to win the fight by points!

It is thought that “The Croc” may make his professional bow on the heavily-rumoured Belfast Boxnation show in November.

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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