Crocodile block: Why is Conor Benn avoiding Lewis Crocker in pursuit of middleweight glory?

Conor Benn's twelve-round rout of Chris Eubank Jr. has not only restored honour to the family name for the star; it has laid the pathway to world title glory two divisions away.

The Briton bounced back from a first career loss in the pair's original bout in April by claiming a wide unanimous decision at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.

Victory puts Benn firmly back into what many see as the upper echelon of British fighters, and 'The Destroyer' has wasted no time insisting he will return to welterweight next.

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Such a resounding victory against an opponent who typically operates three divisions above has put plenty of names on notice, several of whom have already been called out.

But while Benn was listing off his wishlist in the ring after exchanging hugs with his vanquished foe, there was one major omission left at the door - and a domestic one at that.

It has been two months since Lewis Crocker defied pre-bout expectations to topple rival Paddy Donovan for a second time in their rematch and become the IBF champion.

On social media after the fight this weekend, 'The Croc' had plenty to say about the public snub, writing on Instagram: "How [...] was my name not even mentioned post fight?"

Ring Magazine

There's a point to the Belfast man's frustrations - but why might Benn prefer not to take a shot at his belt straight out of the gate? DAZN News considers three possible reasons.

Prestige pull draws different desires

Crocker is the most freshly minted champion in the welterweight division, though Devin Haney could dethrone Brian Norman Jr. this month to take that particular honour from him.

But with no offence intended, he remains perhaps the least glossy name on the poster when it comes to picking a suitable opponent - and accompanying payday - for Benn's team.

Rolly Romero's unexpected triumph against Ryan Garcia earned him two-weight champion status and saw his stock soar further, to make him a more-than-agreeable selection.

Haney and Norman Jr. also offer star-studded routes to the summit, and with their fight just a week after Benn, there is a chance that the schedules could align perfectly for them.

But Mario Barrios, fresh off two draws, including a dance with Manny Pacquiao, seems to remain the major carrot with his WBC title. Crocker may miss out by sheer name alone.

Matchroom matchmaking and history repeated

Elsewhere in Crocker's frustrations came the question of why promoters Matchroom Boxing would not consider pitting two of their key stars together - but that might just be it.

Sat ringside in north London, Eddie Hearn lived and breathed every punch, duck, and blow for the man he has been steadfast with, and celebrated his triumph in elated fashion.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Does the boxing supremo really want to put two of his stars together so soon when further bouts elsewhere could bolster their stock and make for a bigger eventual encounter?

Factor too Benn's own personal preference. Even as he namechecked the slew of Americans, it was Barrios and the WBC crown that he suggested first, maybe with good reason.

Aside from the latter's mixed form, triumph would allow the Briton to echo his father Nigel, who took the WBC super middleweight belt during his own days, in a full-circle moment.

Ranking hopscotch and mandatory foes

While there's little doubt that a Crocker-Benn matchup would do good business, the other hurdle, as it stands, is a pretty big one; the latter is currently unranked by the IBF.

With no position in the top fifteen, it makes a defence tougher for the Belfast man against his domestic rival, who is currently only ranked by the WBC at #4 and WBA at #6.

While Crocker's next bout would have the freedom for a likely free pick, whether he can afford to wait to confirm is a different matter entirely, too, as two men circle his spot.

Donovan, twice beaten now by his rival and firmly convinced he should have seen both fights to his advantage, takes on the Australian Liam Paro in Brisbane next January.

The winner earns the IBF mandatory slot, putting Crocker in their sights. A failure to defend could see the star stripped - meaning time may be against him for a Benn bout too.

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