Eddie Hearn mulls major domestic rematch as star champion chases voluntary defence

Lewis Crocker could make his first IBF welterweight title defence against Conah Walker, with Eddie Hearn describing an all-British rematch as "perfect sense".

The pair first met in June 2024, when the former edged a narrow decision to triumph and tee up his pathway to a world-level strap over the subsequent year.

With rival Paddy Donovan set to face Liam Paro in January for the mandatory challenger position, Crocker is running out of time to make a voluntary defence.

Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis have been mooted as potential foes, but now Matchroom boss Hearn believes an old foe may prove the best option to take.

“Lewis needs to fight and if it’s not a big opportunity he will have a voluntary defence and I think Conah Walker would make perfect sense," he told The Ring.

"If we can make the Haney fight or a big fight with Davis [...] we will look at it. But right now we’ve got to make a defence because time is running out.

"We could lock in that fight against Walker right now. The first fight [...] was one of the fights of the year It was a very close fight

"Obviously Lewis would have home advantage in Belfast. His confidence is sky high right now.  For me, Walker has absolutely earned the right to fight for the world championship."

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV's included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including The Ring V and Lopez vs. Stevenson, on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.

Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.