Swansea’s Ben Crocker (12-0) will make his Top Tier debut as he steps down from Welterweight to Super Lightweight to take on Greece’s Stelios Papadopoulos (15-0-2) at the Brentwood Centre, Essex this Saturday live on Sky Channel 186.
From making his professional debut against Naeem Ali at the Vale Sports Arena, to fighting on the undercard of Joe Cordina’s World title fight against Kenichi Ogawa, to back-to-back fights in his home town of Swansea, this is almost certainly the biggest test for the Welshmen. On the fight he stated: “It’s definitely the hardest fight to date.
“This is definitely the best camp of my life, the best I’ve felt, the best I’ve looked, I got a great team around me, I got my boxing coach Gary Lockett , my nutritionist Pete Bell and my strength coach Dylan Richards.
“I train in Cardiff for my boxing sessions Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays and then the other days I train in my home town of Swansea.
“I try to get anywhere between 9-11 sessions in a week. That’s mixed between boxing, running and strength training.”
Motivation is key in the world of boxing and the Welshmen stated: “I just think about the win and think what could happen after a win, it could push me onto bigger things.
“Also my family and girlfriend are a big help, they’ll make sure I don’t cheat on my diet, don’t miss days training so they are a big part of keeping me focussed.
“I try to think positive about the fight and mentally motivated and I tell myself I’m better than them,” he added.
His opponent for April 27th will be making his second appearance at the Brentwood Centre, he started his professional career over in America before heading back to his home country of Greece where he would put aside Devis Perez to win the World Boxing Union European Welterweight title.
On Papadopoulos and what he anticipates from him, the 29-year-old stated: “His speed and work rate, but if I hurt him early on he will think twice about trying to rush in.”
On the occasion and the nerves, he insisted: “I think it just comes with experience, I had 75 amateur fights so it’s nothing new to me the nerves, I’m always nervous before every fight but I control them well and once the first bell goes the nerves go.”
Quick fire questions with Crocker:
What do you think sets you apart from other boxers in your weight class?
“My size, power and boxing IQ.”
Favourite moment so far as a professional?
“My favourite moment has got to be my debut, walking out to 250 of my own fans chanting my name, something I’ll never forget.”
Biggest inspiration?
“I don’t really have a biggest inspiration, I just want to be really successful so whenever I see anyone who’s made it and successful it pushes me to be like them, but I don’t have one specific person that inspires me.”
What would your final message to Stelios Papadopoulos be?
“Good luck and let’s put on a great fight for everyone.”
Words By Harry Tovey
HTSPORTSNEWS 