Lewis Crocker proud to make Windsor Park return as he closes in on another Belfast showdown
IBF welterweight world champion Lewis Crocker will be a special guest at Northern Ireland's game against Slovakia tonight
Lewis Crocker is hoping for another big night at Windsor Park this evening when he returns to cheer Northern Ireland on in their crucial World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.
The 28-year-old claimed the vacant IBF welterweight title with a split decision win against Paddy Donovan last month and is hoping he can provide some extra motivation for the boys in green and white.
Crocker met up with the squad on Wednesday night and was delighted to see one old friend in particular as memories of his own playing career came back.
"I'm looking forward to Friday night. Obviously it will be the first time I've been back since the fight, so super excited," he said.
"I saw all the boys tonight and they're super motivated, I feel confident in them.
"It'll be a very proud moment for me as well, as I say, going back to the stadium, and sort of taking it all in, so I'm really looking forward to it.
"It was good seeing my old mate Paul Smyth, who I played with at Crumlin Colts, it was good talking to him. It's crazy how life has panned out.
"He always wanted to be a footballer. I was rubbish, you know what I mean, but I was a decent boxer.
"A funny story from my playing days, I actually broke my hand boxing, so I was in a cast.
"We were playing against Cliftonville at Solitude and I had to play as we were short of players, and the one day that I'm good, it was being recorded, and it's on YouTube for life.
"We were losing 1-0 and I scored a fluke from about 35-yards out, I toe-hooked this ball, and it went in to equalise.
"Paul messages me before every fight and says, 'I'll never forget that'. I was playing with my broken arm, scored a two, and I was like, that's my greatest sporting achievement."
Windsor Park will be rocking for this World Cup qualification double-header against Slovakia and Germany, but Crocker is setting his sights on bringing more World Championship fights to the venue as he targets his next bout.
"Absolutely, I think Windsor Park will happen again, it has to happen again, it was such a great night," said Crocker.
"Everyone keeps saying to me, it was such a great night, and I think the country deserves it again.
"I'll fight anywhere, but I think for my country and the city, I think it deserves those big nights again.
"It's great to have a Matchroom back as well, because you always needed someone to fly the flag.
"I have a meeting with Matchroom on Monday and we'll get a date stuck in.
"Obviously there are so many big names, and fighters fighting different fighters, so it's hard to nail something in, but I'll know by next week anyway, and get a plan."