LEWIS CROCKER wants a welterweight unification war with Conor Benn – if he can still make the weight and grab a belt.

The 22-0 Belfast ace won the IBF crown last year following two controversial wins over red-hot favourite Paddy Donovan.

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Lewis Crocker has called out Conor BennCredit: Alamy
 
But Benn needs to first win a welterweight world titleCredit: Getty
Crocker won the opener through a disqualification – when Donovan was adjudged to have hit Crocker after the bell – and he earned the rerun on a split decision after scoring two knockdowns.

Those Belfast battles earned him the red and gold 10st 7lb belt and a Spring defence Down Under against Australia’s Liam Paro next.

But Benn – after mega-money back-to-back middleweight clashes with Chris Eubank Jr – keeps putting his name in the frame for a Crocker slobberknocker.

When asked by talkSPORT if he would fancy the clash, Crocker said: “Absolutely.

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“I think – if he becomes world champion this year, and I’m still world champion – it’s the biggest fight in the UK to make.

“A unification fight in a massive stadium, it’s easily done.”

Benn is flying out to Las Vegas next week to be ringside at the WBC welterweight clash between Ryan Garcia and Mario Barrios.

The Mexican sanctioning body has granted him a mandatory shot at the winner.

The Home of Boxing in 2026

There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!

It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.

Tyson Fury will make his return in April against Arslanbek Makhmudov, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.

Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.

Derek Chisora will fight for the 50th and (perhaps) final time against Deontay Wilder, while Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.

A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.

Here’s all the big fights coming up…

February

Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN

March

Sat 14 – Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace – WBA super-featherweight title – DAZN
Sat 28 – Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin – DAZN
Sat 28 – Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman – Amazon Prime PPV

April

Sat 4 – Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder – DAZN PPV
Sat 11 – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Netflix

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But Crocker points to the fact Benn has not boxed at that 147lb weight since 2022 and the cut does not get easier with age.

He said: “Hopefully he gets the job done either against Rolly Romero or the winner of the Garcia and Barrios fight and becomes a world champion.

“Because it’s good to have another UK champion, especially at my weight, it makes it the biggest fight.

“So I think it would be good to get Benn back at 147lb because it’s been a few years since he’s been there.

“So, before we can really talk about any fights, we’ll have to see what he’s like at 147lb.”

SunSport was in Brighton for Harlem Eubank’s November win over Josh Wagner.

And Crocker and Benn were both ringside VIP guests who came face-to-face.

“I’ve talked to Conor,” Crocker confirmed. “He congratulated me and I congratulated him. Everything’s good, we respect each other.”