Crocker Set For Belfast IBF Title Defense In Spring 2026

Promoter Eddie Hearn says he’s planning to have Lewis Crocker defend his IBF welterweight title in March or April 2026 at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Hearn is making arrangements with the government for Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) to fight in another outdoor event. It won’t be against Conor Benn, though, as he says he only wants the WBC 147-lb title. Eddie didn’t give any hints about who Crocker could face in his first defense.

Crocker Still Overlooked

Since winning the IBF title, Lewis has been largely ignored by the top welterweights, Devin Haney, Benn, and Ryan Garcia. Those fighters are more focused on facing the better-known guys at 147.

Crocker, 28, captured the IBF vacant title recently with a 12-round split decision win over Paddy Donovan on September 13, 2025. He doesn’t have the notoriety yet for him to be mentioned among the top dogs at 147.

“We’re working with the government [Northern Ireland] there for another big outdoor event. Lewis [Crocker] sometimes feels his name doesn’t get mentioned around Conor Benn,” said promoter Eddie Hearn to Ring Magazine on X about IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker.

No Benn, No Problem

“Conor Benn is just fixated with the WBC world title. He doesn’t really talk about [WBA champion Rolando] Romero or [WBO champion Devin] Haney. He just wants to win that green and gold. But the Lewis Crocker fight is still there,” said Hearn.

A more realistic option for Crocker would be IBF-ranked contender #1 Liam Paro or #11 Jack Catterall. It depends on how much risk Hearn wants to put Crocker in. The chances are high that he’d lose to both of those fighters in his first defense.

Windsor Park Back on Deck

“I don’t think it will be Conor Benn around that time. We’re looking at a big fight for him [Crocker] in March or April outdoors again at Windsor Park [Belfast]. Lewis has done extremely well, and he’ll hopefully have a big homecoming fight as world champion back in Belfast,” said Hearn.