Chris Eubank vs. Connor Penn: A rematch could determine the next step for Lewis Croker

Lewis Crocker’s manager Jimmy Conlan feels the outcome of Saturday’s middleweight rematch between Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Penn will have implications for the IBF welterweight champion.

Eubank won the tough first battle between the duo in April, and they are set to do so again at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.

Crocker won the IBF title with a split decision win over Paddy Donovan in a rematch at Windsor Park in Belfast in September, and a first title defense against Penn has been mooted as one of his main options.

However, if Benn suffers a second loss in a row, it would present a major stumbling block to making the next bout, and Conlan says that while they will be monitoring events in London closely, there are other options including potentially unifying with WBC champion Mario Barrios.

“Our plans are still to bring in Croke and Ben, but we have also had two or three other talks including Mario Barrios in order to consolidate,” Conlan told BBC Sport NI.

“It’s all up in the air, but we initially scheduled a date in Windsor for April or May, but we’ve set a date in February. Next weekend is a big factor, but it’s not a deciding factor.”