Crocker-Paro IBF world title fight rearranged for June 24 in Brisbane

Former world champion Liam Paro will challenge IBF welterweight titleholder Lewis Crocker on June 24 at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, after No Limit Boxing officially confirmed the long-awaited world title showdown on Tuesday.

The fight was delayed from its original April date after Crocker suffered a ligament injury in his hand during training. No Limit had originally secured promotional rights in February after lodging what was described as the highest purse bid ever submitted by an Australian-based promoter.

Crocker will travel to Australia for the first defence of the IBF title he won in front of 16,000 fans at Windsor Park in Belfast, while Paro looks to become just the second Australian-born male fighter, after Jeff Fenech, to win recognised world titles in multiple weight divisions.

Paro earned his mandatory position last September when he outpointed David Papot in an IBF welterweight eliminator at Pat Rafter Arena. The victory came less than three months after his welterweight debut, where he stopped Jonathan Navarro in Cairns following the loss of his IBF super lightweight title to Richardson Hitchins by split decision in Puerto Rico in December 2024.

The Queensland southpaw had won that title six months earlier with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Manati, Puerto Rico, one of the standout road victories by an Australian fighter in recent years. Prior to that breakthrough, Paro recorded notable wins over Montana Love, Brock Jarvis and Yomar Alamo.

Crocker returns after Donovan rivalry

Crocker enters the bout unbeaten and fresh from two controversial fights with Paddy Donovan. He claimed the vacant IBF welterweight title in their September rematch at Windsor Park, winning a split decision after dropping Donovan twice. Two judges scored the fight 114-112 and 114-113 for Crocker, while the third had it 115-111 for Donovan.

Their first meeting six months earlier ended in controversy when Donovan was disqualified in an IBF final eliminator after being ruled to have landed after the bell at the end of the eighth round.

Before facing Donovan twice, Crocker built momentum with wins over Conah Walker, Jose Felix Jr. and Tyrone McKenna, the latter in the “Battle of Belfast” in December 2023.

No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose said the event represented the type of matchup Australian boxing had been calling for.

“This is a proper world title fight between two guys right in the middle of their prime and both believe they’re about to take over the division,” Rose said. “You’ve got Liam Paro, who has already gone overseas and done what most fighters only talk about doing. He went into Puerto Rico against one of the most avoided fighters in world boxing and ripped the belt away from him.

“Then on the other side you’ve got Lewis Crocker, undefeated, world champion, massive support behind him in Ireland and coming here with absolutely zero fear about fighting Liam in Australia. This isn’t smoke and mirrors. This isn’t a manufactured fight. These are two legitimate world level fighters risking everything. We won the purse bid because we believed this fight belonged in Australia and now Brisbane gets a world title event that will absolutely deliver.”

Paro said the opportunity to fight for another world title at home carried extra significance.

“I’m ready to make Australian boxing history,” Paro said.

“It’s the kind of moment you dream about as a kid. To fight for another world title at home in Australia is massive, but there’s no easy road here. Crocker is undefeated and champion for a reason and he’s coming in full of confidence. But I’ve built my career the hard way. I’ve travelled the world, fought in hostile environments and already beaten one of the most dangerous champions in boxing. I truly believe I’m levels above anyone he has faced and I can’t wait to make history on June 24 in Brisbane.”

Crocker added: “It’s great to be back and defending my World Title for the first time. I’m looking forward to going to Australia and making a huge statement Down Under, by beating a former World Champion in his own backyard. It will be another step in putting my name in the history books.”

Welterweight picture remains crowded

A victory for either man would place them at the centre of one of boxing’s deepest divisions and open the door to major unification opportunities against some of the sport’s biggest names.

Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Rolando Romero currently hold the other recognised world titles at welterweight, while Conor Benn returns to 147lbs as a prominent contender and has been linked to a potential showdown with Garcia later this summer. With The Ring title vacant, the division remains wide open for a fighter to establish himself as the leading name at 147lbs.

The IBF mandatory position could also become a factor immediately after the Brisbane bout. Karen Chukhadzhyan and Paddy Donovan are scheduled to meet in a final eliminator this Friday, May 15 in Mannheim, Germany, with the winner expected to move into position for a mandatory title shot.

Should Crocker retain his title, attention would likely return to a possible trilogy fight with Donovan following their two controversial contests in Belfast. A Paro victory, meanwhile, would strengthen his standing as one of Australia’s leading active fighters and potentially position him for unification fights on home soil or abroad.