Swansea's Ben Crocker stopped Bobby Dalton in four rounds in Newcastle to become WBO Intercontinental welterweight champion. Here's how the fight went and what the title means.
Ben Crocker won the vacant WBO Intercontinental welterweight title on Saturday 1 August 2026 at the Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle. He stopped Redcar's Bobby Dalton in the fourth round. The win took his record to 16-1-1, and he is now ranked number 11 in the world at welterweight by the WBO.
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How did the fight play out?
The fight topped a Jobes Boxing "Battle of Britain" show, England against Wales. Dalton, a former English welterweight champion, came in at 12-1 with the home crowd behind him.
Based on The Counterpunch's report:
- Round 1: a feeling-out round. Dalton edged it with body shots.
- Round 2: Dalton stayed on the body. Crocker landed a clean right uppercut.
- Round 3: Dalton threw more, Crocker landed the better shots. The right uppercut kept finding its target, followed by a straight right and a left hook late in the round.
- Round 4: Crocker landed several unanswered shots and dropped Dalton with a right hand. Dalton got up, but referee Victor Loughlin called the ringside doctor to look at a bleeding left ear, and the fight was stopped.
Result: Crocker by technical knockout, round four.
What is the WBO Intercontinental title?
The WBO Inter-Continental title (the WBO's own spelling) is a regional belt one level below the WBO world title. Champions are ranked in the WBO's world ratings. In the ratings published on 28 September 2026, Crocker is number 11 at welterweight.
How did Ben Crocker get here?
Crocker turned professional in September 2021 and won his first 13 fights. In December 2024 he became IBF European super-lightweight champion, beating Stelios Papadopoulos on points (our report from that night).
He kept the belt with a split draw against Tiernan Bradley in April 2025, then lost it to Seán McComb on points in Sheffield that September. He moved up to welterweight, beat Jack Swallow on points at Neath Sports Centre in May 2026, and ten weeks later won the WBO title in Newcastle.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Dec 2024 | Stelios Papadopoulos | Brentwood Centre, Essex | Won, unanimous decision | IBF European super-lightweight (vacant) |
| 4 Apr 2025 | Tiernan Bradley | York Hall, London | Split draw | IBF European super-lightweight |
| 27 Sep 2025 | Seán McComb | Sheffield | Lost, unanimous decision | IBF European super-lightweight |
| 23 May 2026 | Jack Swallow | Neath Sports Centre | Won, points | None |
| 1 Aug 2026 | Bobby Dalton | Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle | Won, TKO round 4 | WBO Inter-Continental welterweight (vacant) |
What's next for Ben Crocker?
His next fight hasn't been announced. We'll update this page when it is.
FAQs
Who did Ben Crocker beat for the WBO Intercontinental title?
Bobby Dalton of Redcar, a former English welterweight champion, who was 12-1 going in. Crocker won by technical knockout in round four.
When and where was the fight?
Saturday 1 August 2026, at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle.
What is Ben Crocker's record?
16 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw (16-1-1).
TL;DR
Ben Crocker beat Bobby Dalton by fourth-round stoppage in Newcastle on 1 August 2026 to win the vacant WBO Intercontinental welterweight title. He's now 16-1-1 and ranked 11th in the world by the WBO.
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Sources: The Counterpunch (4 Aug 2026), Punch-Lines (30 Jul 2026), Flashscore, Tapology, WBO ratings, 28 Sep 2026.
