Croft Brothers Secure Impressive First-Round Stoppage Wins in Professional Debuts

Ioan and Garan Croft, twin brothers, achieved stylish first-round stoppage victories in their professional boxing debuts on Saturday night at the SETU Arena in Waterford, Republic of Ireland. The Croft brothers had prepared for their initial professional bouts under the guidance of former world champion Anthony Crolla in Manchester. The 23-year-old siblings, hailing from Crymych, Wales, transitioned to professional boxing after departing from Team GB’s amateur boxing programme in February 2024. This decision followed their disagreement with recent changes to weight classes within the amateur system. Ioan Croft competed against Poland’s Bartosz Glowacki, 33, in a middleweight contest scheduled for four rounds. He entered the ring to the song ‘Delilah,’ supported by a significant contingent of traveling fans who had braved Storm Darragh to cross the Irish Sea. Both boxers adopted a southpaw stance, but Ioan, a Commonwealth gold medallist, quickly demonstrated superior speed and power, utilizing his longer reach to connect with Glowacki. As Glowacki’s defense weakened, his Welsh adversary landed multiple left hands to the head, subsequently varying his attack with powerful right hooks. With Glowacki offering minimal resistance, the referee intervened to stop the fight with five seconds remaining in the first round. Garan Croft, who holds a Commonwealth bronze medal and a European silver medal, concluded his professional debut victory even more rapidly. He stopped 30-year-old Ermin Sali of Croatia in merely 15 seconds. Also fighting at middleweight, but employing an orthodox style, Garan initiated the action with approximately six jabs before delivering two consecutive powerful right hands that knocked Sali down. The referee ended the contest without allowing the Croatian time to recover from the count, even though Sali subsequently rose to his feet unsteadily. Sali and his corner disputed the premature stoppage, but the win was awarded to the Welsh boxer. Following their successful evening in Waterford, the brothers are set to return to the FOX ABC gym in Manchester. There, they will continue their professional boxing careers under the guidance of former world lightweight champion Anthony Crolla.