Liam Paro dug in deep to overcome Lewis Crocker and become the new IBF welterweight champion.
The pair were squaring off at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, Australia, with Paro successful in his bid to claim world honours in a second division after previously reigning as IBF world champion at 140lbs.
Paro took control in the early stages of the fight, landing the better punches as Crocker struggled to find the space to unleash the big shots he was looking for.
With Paro seemingly ahead, Crocker gave his all as the bout entered the closing stages, pushing the pace as he went in search of a come-from-behind knockout, opening up a big cut on Paro’s left eye that troubled the Australian.
Crocker piles it on with 90 seconds to go as Paro bleeds badly from a cut 🥶#CrockerParo | Live now on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/j4NoBz886A
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 24, 2026
Despite the onslaught, Paro was able to see out the fight, doing enough to earn a narrow unanimous decision victory after three scorecards of 115-113, becoming IBF welterweight champion in the process.
The Australian now looks set for a showdown with mandatory challenger Paddy Donovan, but he insisted in his post-fight interview that the challengers should now have to come to him as he holds all the cards.
“This means everything. It’s a long hard road. I climbed the mountain before, got knocked off and here I am again. I had to dig deep. Lewis Crocker is a hell of a champion. He came here to fight so I respect him for life.
“We’re going to bring the big fights here. f**k travelling. I’ll have a good rest and let this eye heal up. The welterweight division is a glamour division. I deserve my seat at the table. I want all the smoke. I want everyone. We’ve got the pulling power. We always cross the pond, it’s time for people to come here.”
Donovan became mandatory after a points win over Karen Chukhadzhian last month, and looks set for his second opportunity at a world title after an unsuccessful bid in a vacant title bout with Crocker last year.
