Headline News

Lewis Crocker on finding his power at 15 – “I knocked the kid out in the first round, I couldn’t believe it”

Top Pro Gif Ad
Lewis Crocker comes into the pro ranks at just 19 years old – but arrives with a huge reputation as a puncher.

The Belfast welterweight jumped into the public eye last Summer with two stunning knockouts at the Totana Box Cup in Spain – the first of which against Michael Jobson won the Irish-Boxing.com KO of the Year.

Crocker spoke to Irish-Boxing.com about the history of his fearsome power, and recalled how “I was always naturally strong as a kid, but the first time I really knew I had a bit of power was when I was 15 at a multi nations tournament in Poland where I knocked the kid out in the first round, I couldn’t believe it. It gave me a huge boost in confidence in terms of my punching power.”

“Then when I was 18 I could really start to feel the difference and it showed when I knocked both of my opponents out in the semi and final of a multi nations tournament in Spain.”

The teenager is looking forward to leaving the head guard behind and lacing on the horsehair gloves as a pro, and admitted that “I can’t wait to put on the smaller gloves as a pro, nothing annoyed me more as an amateur than being about to get in to the ring and to be handed big pillow-like gloves!”

“I never liked the idea of people knowing you could punch a bit because they never wanted to stand and trade with you.”

In the paid game Crocker will be handled by the legendary Belfast trainer John Breen, a man who knows a thing or two about devastating punchers having been in the corner of Neil Sinclair. On his new coach, Crocker explained that “working with John is great, he has so much experience and knowledge in the game. He really pushes you and he makes sure you don’t cut any corners in training!”

“If there’s a man to get you super fit it’s him.”

Crocker is promising excitement and described how “I would say I have a ‘fan-friendly’ style as I like to come forward and look to land as many big shots as I can.”

“I love a tear up and when the crowd gets in to it, there’s nothing better! But I can box when needed.”

“I would compare my style to somewhat of Marcos Maidana or Canelo as they like to volume punch and always look for the finish.”

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

x