Welsh boxing twins ready for step up to professional level

Twins Ioan and Garan Croft used to train with their father at Cardigan ABC.

After showing their talents at amateur level, twins Ioan and Garan Croft from Crymych are ready to step up to the professional level on 7 December.

Ioan and Garan will make the trip to Waterford, Republic of Ireland. There, the brothers get their first chance to box at the next level.

In February this year, they parted ways with Team GB’s boxing programme - and that was just five months before the Paris Olympics.

They were angry with changes to weight classes, a rule change that would mean that only one of the twins would qualify to go to France.

Although it has been a difficult year for the two young men, Garan feels that they are ready to show their skills at the highest level.

"One of the reasons we left was because we were competing for the same place in the Olympic Games," he said.

"When you've done it for years it's hard. But now, we can look forward to training, look forward to competing and not having to compete against my brother.

"It's just easier, happier this way."

A packed bus from Crymych will travel to the Republic of Ireland over the weekend to support the young men who are looking to establish themselves on the professional stage.

Ioan's hope is to be able to celebrate with those who have supported them throughout their journey as they prepare for their biggest challenge yet.

"It will be a very special moment on the night," he said.

"Hopefully we can celebrate with friends and people who have come to support from the area."

With a wealth of experience of their own, they now have a former world lightweight champion to support them.

Manchester's FOX ABC gym has been home to Ioan and Garan since making the move away from GB boxing, with Anthony Crolla taking charge of their training camp.

"They're a lot more talented than I ever was," said Crolla.

"In this game you need a little bit of luck to get to the very top, no matter how good you are.

"But if they get the luck, to go with not just the talent but how hard they work, they have got a great chance of going all the way.”

This is an opportunity to reach real heights for the Welshmen, with both ready to show that they can be at home on the big stage.

A positive start will be the goal for Ioan and Garan Croft, with the twins flying the flag for Crymych and Wales.