Key Points
- Welsh boxing twins Ioan Croft and Garan Croft, both aged 24 from Crymych and north Pembrokeshire, extended their unbeaten professional records on Friday night, April 3, 2026, at Planet Ice in Altrincham, England.
- The siblings made their Matchroom Boxing debuts on the undercard of the Pat Brown vs Vasil Ducar headline fight, promoted by Matchroom Boxing and streamed live on DAZN.
- Ioan Croft (now 6-0, 3 KOs), a southpaw and Cardigan ABC alumnus, defeated Serbian Novak Radulovic (21-15-1, 8 KOs) by unanimous decision over eight rounds middleweight bout; referee Darren Sarginson scored it 80-72.
- Garan Croft (now 6-0, 2 KOs), orthodox stance, beat Marco Simmonds (3-3, 0 KOs) by unanimous decision over eight rounds super welterweight; referee Darren Sarginson scored 80-72.
- The twins were cheered by a spirited group of supporters from north Pembrokeshire who travelled to support them.
- This was Ioan Croft’s first professional fight over eight rounds, where he appeared composed and largely untroubled.
- The Crofts turned professional after leaving the Great Britain podium squad in February 2024 due to lost trust in GB Boxing and Olympic weight class changes that would force them to compete against each other.
- They train with former world champion Anthony Crolla and signed with Matchroom Boxing earlier in 2026, with Ioan previously stating, “It’s a dream come true to sign with Matchroom Boxing. I’m grateful for the team around me who have made this possible. I want to bring big nights of boxing to Wales, and it’s time to show the world what I can do.”
- The event was part of Matchroom’s North-West double-header, following Callum Smith vs David Morrell on April 18 in Liverpool.
Altrincham (Manchester Mirror) April 04, 2026 – Welsh boxing twins Ioan and Garan Croft preserved their flawless professional records on Friday night in Altrincham, marking impressive debuts with Matchroom Boxing on a stacked card at Planet Ice. The 24-year-old siblings both secured unanimous decision victories over eight rounds, cheered on by a spirited group of supporters from north Pembrokeshire.
Who Are the Croft Twins?
Ioan and Garan Croft hail from Crymych in north Pembrokeshire, Wales, and are identical twins known for their amateur success, including Ioan winning gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. As reported by BBC Sport, the brothers left the Great Britain podium squad in February 2024, five months before the Paris Olympics, after losing “trust” in GB Boxing following unclear paths to qualification. A change in Olympic weight classes meant they would both compete at 71kg, forcing one to beat the other—a scenario they refused.
The twins now train with former world champion Anthony Crolla, who guides their professional careers. Prior to this event, Ioan held a 5-0 record with 3 KOs, while Garan was 5-0 with 2 KOs, having completed mandatory six-rounders. Their signing with Matchroom Boxing in February 2026 was hailed as a coup for the promoter, adding exciting young prospects to the roster.
What Happened in Ioan Croft’s Fight?
Ioan Croft, the younger twin by a minute and a southpaw, opened the YouTube-streamed undercard against Serbian veteran Novak Radulovic. As detailed in the BBC Sport article, Ioan outclassed his opponent over eight rounds, marking his first time at that distance professionally, and appeared composed throughout, rarely troubled.
Yardbarker live results confirmed Ioan Croft (6-0, 3 KOs) won on points, with referee Darren Sarginson scoring the middleweight bout 80-72. Radulovic, now 21-15-1 with 8 KOs, offered little resistance to the Welshman’s skills. Supporters from north Pembrokeshire made their presence felt, creating a lively atmosphere at Planet Ice.
How Did Garan Croft Perform?
Garan Croft, fighting orthodox, followed his brother against Marco Simmonds in an eight-round super welterweight clash. According to Yardbarker updates, Garan (now 6-0, 2 KOs) secured a unanimous decision, with referee Darren Sarginson again scoring 80-72. Simmonds drops to 3-3, winless by stoppage.
BBC Sport noted the twins’ victories came much to the delight of their travelling fans, extending their unbeaten streaks in style. Garan, like his brother, showed poise in his Matchroom debut, contributing to the event’s undercard success.
Why Did the Crofts Turn Professional?
The Crofts’ move to pros stemmed from frustrations with GB Boxing. As BBC Sport reported in 2024, Lewis Richardson was selected over them for Olympic qualifiers, leaving them feeling unexplained omissions. They have spoken publicly about never wanting to fight each other, a key factor amid weight class changes.
Signing with Matchroom fulfilled a dream, per Ioan’s statement in a DAZN press release: “It’s a dream come true to sign with Matchroom Boxing. I’m grateful for the team around me who have made this possible. I want to bring big nights of boxing to Wales, and it’s time to show the world what I can do.” This Altrincham win signals their readiness for bigger stages.
What Was the Event Context?
The fights occurred on the undercard of Pat Brown (5-0, 5 KOs) vs Vasil Ducar (19-7-2, 14 KOs) at Planet Ice Altrincham, headlined by the cruiserweight clash live on DAZN. Other results included David Spilmont’s shocking seventh-round TKO of Jordan Thompson at 2:39, after rising from a knockdown.
Matchroom Boxing promoted the card as part of a North-West double-header, with Callum Smith defending his WBO Interim Light Heavyweight title against David Morrell on April 18 in Liverpool. The event drew global attention via YouTube and DAZN streams.
Who Supported the Croft Twins?
A boisterous contingent from north Pembrokeshire, including Crymych locals, travelled to Altrincham to back the twins. Their cheers echoed through Planet Ice, amplifying the Welsh presence on an English card. Social media from Matchroom Boxing highlighted the family’s pride post-fights.
What Are the Twins’ Future Plans?
With records now at 6-0 each, the Crofts aim to headline Welsh nights under Matchroom. Training with Anthony Crolla positions them for European contention. As Matchroom noted on Instagram, the twins join rising stars like Branden Jones in extending unbeaten runs.
This debut success, as covered across BBC, Yardbarker, and Matchroom outlets, cements their pro promise. No injuries reported; both appeared sharp for step-ups.
How Does This Fit Matchroom’s Strategy?
Matchroom’s signing of the Crofts aligns with youth investment, per February 2026 announcements. The Altrincham card showcased North-West talent, boosting DAZN subscriptions. Promoter Eddie Hearn’s stable grows with unbeaten prospects like the twins.
Journalists from BBC Sport and Yardbarker praised their composure, predicting rapid rises. The event’s undercard delivered thrills, from Crofts’ decisions to Spilmont’s comeback.
