Lewis Crocker has officially called out Conor Benn for his first IBF World Welterweight Title defence in early 2026.
Crocker wants to face Benn next and is willing to travel to England for the fight, despite being snubbed by Team Benn after Chris Eubank Jr rematch.
Lewis Crocker Calls Out Conor Benn For First IBF World Welterweight Title Defence
Ever since beating Paddy Donovan on September 13 and winning the IBF World Welterweight Title in front of his hometown crowd at Windsor Park in Belfast, Lewis Crocker has made it abundantly clear who he wants to fight next.
The Northern Irishman has been incredibly vocal of his desire to defend his 147-pound world title against Conor Benn in a super-fight early next year. This fight of course hinged on the outcome of Benn’s rematch with Chris Eubank Jr, which was won in comfortable fashion by ‘The Destroyer’.
Now that he has got his revenge on Eubank Jr and put that chapter of his career to bed, Benn has revealed his intentions of moving back down to welterweight to fight for a world title.
After being frozen out of a Ryan Garcia or Mario Barrios super-fight, Benn will now have to explore other options. If he wants to become world champion at welterweight, then his only options are Crocker, Brian Norman Jr or Rolly Romero.
Of these three fights, the most obvious one to make is the Crocker clash. Or so you’d think, given that both fighters are part of the Matchroom stable and the fight would be incredibly easy to make.
There was no mention of a Crocker fight from Benn in the aftermath of the Eubank Jr victory. In fact, the Northern Irishman was about the only name Benn didn’t call-out. But that hasn’t stopped ‘The Croc’ from calling out Benn instead.
Crocker vs Benn The ‘Biggest Fight In The UK Right Now’
Lewis Crocker made his intentions of fighting Conor Benn next crystal clear with a fresh call-out of the 24-1 British fighter.
Speaking to talkSPORT on Thursday, November 20, Crocker pulled no punches in his call-out of Benn:
“It’d be the biggest fight in the UK right now. Two big punchers. It would be the fight to make, and it’s one I’m completely up for,” Crocker said when asked if he wanted to face ‘The Destroyer’ next.
The Northern Irishman feels he is being overlooked as an opponent for Benn’s next fight, which he finds strange given the fact Crocker has what Benn wants – a bonafide world welterweight championship belt.
“I think it’s strange. My aspirations are to be a world champion and Benn has made his money. So I don’t understand why I wouldn’t be mentioned.
“Obviously they mentioned [Ryan] Garcia – he’s a bigger name than I am. But for a legacy fight – I would be the next one in line.
“I’ll always back myself. I am the champion. Lets get it done big man,” said Lewis Crocker is his fresh call-out of Conor Benn.
Crocker Wants Benn Next Despite Snub
Lewis Crocker wants to fight Conor Benn next. Nobody else. He has made this abundantly clear, despite being snubbed by ‘The Destroyer’ already.
After defeating Eubank Jr last weekend at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Benn called out a whole host of fighters with one glaringly obvious omission – the IBF world welterweight king.
Ryan Garcia, Mario Barrios, Brian Norman Jr, Rolly Romero and Devin Haney were the names on Benn’s lips in the aftermath of his unanimous decision victory over ‘Next Gen’. No mention of ‘The Croc’.
CROCKER HAS EYES ON BENN@lewiscrocker1 has a point.
Why isn't Conor Benn mentioning his name to fight at 147 for a world title
Seeing money signs fighting Americans?
Or does he know that the Croc smokes him? pic.twitter.com/XIF4duhntM
— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) November 15, 2025
This has frustrated the Belfast man, who feels a fight with Benn makes total sense next.
Crocker took to social media in the immediate aftermath of Eubank Jr vs Benn 2, voicing his frustration at being overlooked for a super-fight with the 29-year-old.
Despite this snub, it is no secret who Lewis Crocker wants next. But will Conor Benn oblige?
