In a surprising turn of events, renowned boxing coach Billy Nelson has announced his professional separation from IBF welterweight world champion Lewis Crocker. The duo’s partnership, which commenced in 2023, saw Crocker ascend to the pinnacle of the welterweight division, culminating in an impressive eight consecutive victories, four of which were decisive stoppages.
Their collaborative journey began with a resounding sixth-round stoppage of Joel Julio in Glasgow, setting the tone for a series of dominant performances. Among these were two highly charged bouts against Paddy Donovan. The first encounter ended controversially with Donovan’s disqualification in the eighth round for a punch after the bell. Despite many observers scoring the fight in Donovan’s favor at the time of the stoppage, Crocker silenced his critics in the rematch on September 13, dropping Donovan in the third and fifth rounds en route to a convincing victory.
Nelson, taking to social media on New Year’s Day, confirmed the split, stating, “Lewis has moved on to a coach in London, so I no longer know what’s going on with him. But I hope he gets a voluntary defense in front of his fans in Belfast.” This statement underscores Nelson’s continued support for Crocker’s career, despite their professional separation.
Speculation is rife about Crocker’s next move, with a potential rematch against Conah Walker, whom Crocker defeated on points in June 2024, being a prominent topic of discussion. Since that loss, Walker has been on a remarkable run, securing four consecutive victories under the tutelage of Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis in Manchester. His most recent triumph, a career-best performance against Olympic medalist Pat McCormack, has further fueled the anticipation of a rematch.
Another contender in the mix is Liam Paro, the second-ranked fighter with the IBF, who was previously slated to face Donovan before the Irishman’s withdrawal due to illness. As the boxing world watches with bated breath, the question on everyone’s lips is: who will Lewis Crocker defend his title against next?
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional boxing, this split serves as a reminder of the sport’s dynamic nature. As Crocker embarks on this new chapter, fans and pundits alike will be keenly observing his next steps, eager to witness the continued rise of this welterweight sensation.
Team_TBE Boxing