Is this the man to bring Lewis Crocker the distance?
Six opponents have tried and six have been knocked out but Lewis Crocker may finally see the final bell this Saturday night.
Belfast welterweight prospect Crocker [6(6)-0] fights at Windsor Park this Saturday night and has been handed a tricky match versus one of the most durable fighters around.
The explosive 21-year-old will fight English veteran Willie Warburton [26(5)-137(2)-10] on the big stadium bill and will step up to six rounds for the first time in the process.
The 31-year-old light middleweight has not been stopped 31-year-old light middleweight has not been stopped since a ninth-round loss to Chris Johnson in a Central Area title fight eight years ago, with his only other knockout defeat coming early in his career.
A smart boxer that has faced almost every prospect and domestic fighter of note at welterweight and light middleweight over the past decade, Warburton knows how to survive – and a stoppage win for Crocker would be another huge statement following his obliteration of Adam Grabiec in June.
A CRACKER FROM CROCKER 💥
Belfast welterweight banger Lewis ‘The Croc’ Crocker improved to 6-0 (6KOs) over the weekend with this peach of a body shot 👊@lewiscrocker1 #TheCroc 🐊 pic.twitter.com/ObMPG7YsD1
— Frank Warren (@frankwarren_tv) July 3, 2018
In terms of an attacking threat, what Warburton will bring on Saturday remains to be seen.
The Lancashire boxer is technically excellent but his performances vary wildly – from sensational wins over good names to at times seemingly sleepwalking through bouts with much-lesser fighters as he, assumedly, looks to remain an attractive option to matchmakers.
‘Warby’ holds a 2016 win over current British middleweight champion Jason Welborn and, this year, has beaten the 13-1 Aaron Morgan and the 6-0 Lloyd Campbell along with 10 losses and a draw.
Last year he fought thrice in Ireland, being outpointed by Ger Healy, Matt Wilton, and Bernard Roe.
Crocker features on the undercard alongside Steven Donnelly, Sean McComb, Isaac Lowe, Sam Maxwell, Luke Keeler, Conrad Cummings, and a BUI Celtic light heavyweight title fight between Steven Ward and Stevie Collins.
The top of the bill features Carl Frampton boxing Luke Jackson and Tyson Fury facing Francesco Pianeta, with Paddy Barnes challenging WBC flyweight champ Cristofer Rosales.
With his bout being set for six, it would look unlikely that Crocker, who still awaits a TV debut, will be used as a swing bout.
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglieliminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
