THE all-Ireland clash against Paddy Donovan – the one all Irish fight fans are waiting for - will get the green light if Lewis Crocker comes through Saturday night’s test against Conah Walker in Birmingham (live on DAZN).
Belfast’s Crocker (19-0) clashes with Wolverhampton’s Walker (13-2-1) in what promises to be an unmissable welterweight war for the WBA International title.
‘The Croc’ beat Mexico’s Jose Felix with a devastating fifth-round knockout at Ulster Hall last time out in January, and the 27-year-old is targeting another dominant performance when he takes on a resurgent Walker.
“I always say that the end goal is a world title,” said Crocker.
“This is the perfect fight to get a world ranking and a new belt. This fight isn’t a 50-50 fight: I’m the better fighter. He’s been talking a lot of shit recently so I’m looking forward to getting the job done.
“He’s shitting himself. He hasn’t fought on the big stage, he was on the top table at the press conference and he was all happy with himself. Good mate because you’re going back to the small hall shows after this - your time is over. See you later. I’m ending the man.
“Who’s this guy talking to? He’s won two fights in a row and he actually thinks he’s Mike Tyson. This guy would have to kill me to win this fight. I don’t know if he actually believes what he’s saying. I think he’s a bit stupid in the head. I can’t wait.
“I’m laughing at this guy already. One million per cent I stop this guy. I’m too big, too strong, too smart, too fast. Get that in your head mate. You’re never beating me; ever. The fans can’t miss this fight because they can see the bad blood already. It’s going to be toe-to-toe for the get-go; there’s no doubt about it.”
Crocker’s ability was never in any doubt but he grabbed the limelight with a dominant performance against Tyrone McKenna late last year. Then he and Walker both scored knockouts wins at the Ulster Hall and Crocker says he is thriving thanks to the training of veteran Scottish coach Billy Nelson.
“Mentally and physically, training over here has changed me as a person, inside and outside of the ring,” he said.