IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker says he is “looking forward to showing my new and improved self” when he makes the first defence of his title against Liam Paro in Brisbane on 24 June.
The Belfast man won the belt with a points win over Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park last September, but has since parted ways with coach Billy Nelson to team up with Huzaifah Iqbal.
While Nelson helped him realise a lifetime ambition last year, the defending champion feels he was getting a little “too comfortable” under his former coach and needed to change it up.
Despite the switch from Scotland to London, Crocker feels he is right at home and the decision to make the change will pay off when he takes on the former IBF light-welterweight champion at the Pat Rafter Arena.
“I just felt there was certain stuff I could be better at and the way I am now, it’s all worked out,” explained the 29-year-old, who has won all 22 of his professional contests.
“I know many more people in the new gym. I’ve Kieran Molloy, who I used to share rooms with when we were junior and youth [Irish amateur teammates] and live with now.
“The likes of [IBF light-middleweight champion] Josh Kelly is in the gym, Harlem Eubank and Kurt Walker, so all the boys train together and that is good.
“My set-up in Scotland was great, but I just felt it was too comfortable at stages and I’ve really pushed myself in this camp.”
The decision to part ways with Nelson raised some eyebrows considering the success they enjoyed, but Crocker feels his training has stepped up a gear in this camp.
“‘H’ [Iqbal] has been on the ball, worked me super hard,” he continued.
“From the first minute I got into the gym with him, he’d the iPad up and was putting in a structure, so we could see my numbers increasing over time. He’s very good with keeping track of everything, when to do this and that.”
