Lewis Crocker could be set to return to Belfast’s Windsor Park on April 11.
The popular Irishman defeated Paddy Donovan there to claim the IBF welterweight title on September 13, scoring two knockdowns in the process before winning a tight decision.
They’d fought several months earlier with Donovan getting the upperhand but being disqualified after a fight-ending shot caught Crocker after the bell to end the eighth round.
Crocker however, scored a significant upset and claimed the vacant IBF title.
He is now set to make his first defense in the stadium where he won it, and the BBC has reported that it could come on April 11.
Crocker’s manager, Jamie Conlan, has said both WBC champion Mario Barrios and Conor Benn are in the frame. But Benn already said he had little interest in facing the Billy Nelson-trained champion. Barrios is also said to be in the running to face Ryan Garcia or Benn.
Crocker, 28, has said he would like Benn – and both are promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Crocker is 22-0 (11 KOs), hugely-popular in Ireland and lives walking distance to Windsor Park.
