Welsh Twins Garan and Ioan Croft Pursue Boxing Stardom Together

Welsh boxers Garan and Ioan Croft are making waves in the professional boxing scene, both boasting undefeated records as they strive for success. Garan, the elder by just a minute, reflects on their competitive spirit: "We've always wanted to do better than each other," he states, highlighting their relentless drive during training sessions.

The identical twins constantly challenge one another through various workouts, whether on the road or in the gym. "We've got to be separated in sparring sometimes," Garan admits, emphasizing the intensity of their competitive nature. Despite their rivalry, they share a close bond and mutual respect, which they view as a significant advantage during training.

In February, the Croft brothers signed with Matchroom Sport, who described them as "two very talented young fighters." Both made impressive debuts with the organization in April, with Ioan defeating Novak Radulovic from Serbia and Garan overcoming Marco Simmonds from England. "It's great to have that backing from Matchroom," Ioan shared, noting the new opportunities that come with this partnership.

The twins transitioned to professional boxing in 2024 after leaving the Great Britain squad, citing a loss of trust in the organization. They are now training under former WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla at the Fox ABC gym in Oldham. Garan expressed confidence in Crolla's coaching abilities, stating, "He's still proving himself as a fairly young trainer," while Ioan appreciates the positive atmosphere they’ve found in their new training environment.

Originally from Crymych, a village in north Pembrokeshire, their move to Manchester has significantly enhanced their training prospects. "It's been great moving up here," Garan remarked, even as he acknowledges missing their hometown supporters who travel long distances to cheer them on during fights. Both twins have represented Wales on the international stage, with Ioan winning gold in the welterweight category at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Looking ahead, both brothers are eager to return to the ring this summer, with aspirations to compete for British titles in the near future. "In 12 months' time I want to be in a position to fight for a title of any sort really," Garan stated, while Ioan echoed his brother's sentiments, emphasizing the hard work ahead. Together, they aim to inspire the next generation of Welsh boxers as they chase their dreams of championship glory.