Crocker has opportunities despite title loss

Crocker has opportunities despite title lossImage source, No Limit BoxingImage caption, Crocker lost his title to Liam Paro by way of a unanimous decision in BrisbaneByDavid MohanBBC Sport NI journalistPublished26 minutes agoLewis Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan says there are opportunities for the former IBF welterweight champion but “back to Belfast would be key” for his ring return.Crocker was dethroned by Australia’s Liam Paro in Brisbane on Wednesday by way of a narrow unanimous points decision, but feels the Belfast man will be “10 times better” for the experience.It was a fight in which Paro dominated early with Crocker coming on strong late and appeared close to finding the stoppage in the championship rounds, but Paro – a former light-welterweight world champion – rode out the storm.The next move for Crocker will be crucial in order to get back into the world title mix, but Conlan is confident the 29-year-old will bounce back.”We have a tentative plan in place,” Conlan told BBC Sport NI.”It seems everyone wants to come back to Belfast, so we are looking at dates before Christmas. I think that’s best for us, best for Matchroom to come back here because Lewis Crocker is a superstar and will be a 10-times better fighter because of it [the defeat].”‘Croc’ always wants big fights and we’ll sit down over the next few weeks and see what’s there. There are fights to be made easily like [Conah] Walker, but there appears to be an appetite further afield.”Paro dethrones Crocker to land welterweight title