Crocker sets sights on route back to the top

Lewis Crocker is looking forward and not back at his world title defeat by Liam Paro as he prepares for his return against Owen Cooper in December at Belfast's 02. Crocker lost in a world title defence against Liam Paro in June The flight home from Australia in June was a little longer for Lewis Crocker as he pondered his defeat by Liam Paro in his first defence of the IBF welterweight champion. A storming finish by the Belfast man was not enough to turn things around as all three judges gave Paro a 115-113 decision and the Australian realised his dream of becoming a two-weight champion. Crocker grew into that fight and seemed on the brink of finding a finish in the late rounds, but Paro held on and Crocker lost his grip on the title he won last September in Belfast's Windsor Park against Paddy Donovan – his record slipping to 22 wins with one loss.

"Shoulda, woulda, coulda," is how the 29-year-old reflects on that night in Brisbane – one in which he was so near yet so far away, yet his first career defeat has not dented confidence, but only served to fuel his desire to rise again. "I got beaten on a very close decision in a world title fight against a two-weight world champion,"