Lewis Crocker is ready to return to Windsor Park for a voluntary defence of his IBF world welterweight title subsequent spring.

The Belfast fighter beat Paddy Donovan by cut up resolution to clinch the vacant belt in entrance of a sold-out crowd at Northern Eire’s nationwide soccer stadium in September.

Crocker and Donovan’s battle – a rematch of their March contest which resulted in Donovan’s disqualification – marked boxing’s return to Windsor Park for the primary time since Carl Frampton’s victory over Luke Jackson in August 2018.

It’s understood a defence is slated for 11 April, with an opponent anticipated to be confirmed within the subsequent fortnight.

Crocker, who’s unbeaten in 22 skilled bouts, has been vocal about his want to battle Conor Benn, who defeated bitter rival Chris Eubank Jr in dominant vogue of their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium rematch on 15 November.

Chatting with BBC Sport NI within the build-up to that battle, Crocker’s supervisor Jamie Conlan talked about Benn and WBC champion Mario Barrios as choices for the 28-year-old.

Nevertheless, Englishman Benn this week instructed Boxing Information, exterior Crocker “is just not actually a reputation that’s on my radar”.

With a victory in April, Crocker could be anticipated to return to the ring in late summer time.