BRISBANE, Australia -- A bloody and bruised Liam Paro solidified his boxing legacy Wednesday evening, scoring a tight yet unanimous decision against Northern Ireland's Lewis Crocker to secure the IBF welterweight title on home soil. In doing so, Paro joins compatriot Jeff Fenech as the only Australian-born multiple division world champions with one of boxing's four major organisations.
The Mackay-based fighter showcased his ring IQ, southpaw smarts, heart, and determination throughout the 12-round gruelling contest at Pat Rafter Arena in south Brisbane, often a step ahead, despite his opponent's clear size advantage. A compact Paro worked Crocker over with his lightning quick jabs to the body and was offered a chin to home in on for much of the fight, an invitation that didn't need extending twice.
Paro (28-1, 16 KOs) didn't have it all his own way, however. Crocker's shots, while landing not as frequently, were heavier and severely punishing. Twice Crocker connected with Paro's chin with brutal right-hand hooks and he ended the fight with an ultra-aggressive final round, one that opened a cut above the crowd favourite's left eye and threatened to cause a shock late stoppage. An exhausted Paro was left reeling in the dying minutes, content in taking precautionary action as he danced around the ring to force the bell and the judges' scorecards, which each read 115-113 in his favour.
"This means everything," said Paro, moments after being handed his belt. "I climbed the mountain before but it's been a long, hard road. I got knocked off and here I am again. I'm speechless. I had to dig in. I had so many people telling me I couldn't ... what now? I want all the big fights now Down Under. I want it all. This life is about testing yourself, so bring it on."
Crocker (22-1, 11 KOs), who was making his maiden title defence and fighting for the first time outside of Europe, was full of praise for the new world champion.
"Respect to Liam," said Crocker. "It was a very close fight. I think a bit more could have been done about the holding, but congratulations to Liam ... he's a fantastic fighter."
The IBF's 147-pound strap is the second world title won by Paro. In June 2024, he famously upset Subriel Matías in Puerto Rico to take hold of the IBF super-lightweight belt, though it was relinquished in his first defence against unbeaten American star Richardson Hitchins later in the year.
Winning a world title in a second weight class sees Paro join Fenech as Australia's only multiple division world champions with one of boxing's four major organisations. Fenech, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, won the IBF bantamweight title with victory over Satoshi Shingaki in 1985 before claiming the WBC super-bantamweight title two years later against Samart Payakaroon. He also famously won the vacant WBC featherweight title in 1988 with victory over Puerto Rican challenger Victor Callejas.
For Paro, who made his ring walk dressed as iconic Australian character Crocodile Dundee and to the tune of Working Class Man, the focus will now shift to a potential welterweight unification fight. Other current world title holders in the division include the WBC's Ryan Garcia, the WBO's Devin Haney, as well as Rolando Romero (super champion) and Jack Catterall (regular champion) for the WBO.
In the past 24 hours, reports emerged that the winner of this fight could jump to the top of the list to face the winner of Romero and Teofimo Lopez in a welterweight unification contest later in the year. Manny Pacquiao has also been floated as a potential future opponent for Paro, though Paddy Donovan, who lost to Crocker last year with the vacant IBF welterweight strap on the line but has since rebounded to be the organisation's mandatory challenger at 147 pounds, is most likely to share the ring with him next. There's also the possibility of a rematch with Crocker.
In the chief support, Nelson Asofa-Solomona prevailed in the battle of the NRL-to-boxing converts, stopping Englishmen George Burgess in the third round before taking the microphone and sending a heartfelt message to former rugby league rival Jai Arrow, who has recently been diagnosed with motor neurone disease at age 30.
It was the third consecutive win of 'Big Nasty's' professional boxing career, following stoppages of both Jeremy Latimore and Jarrod Wallace earlier this year. A blockbuster date with Paul Gallen -- another retired NRL star -- could be up next, though the financials have been a sticking point for the former New South Wales State of Origin captain.
Earlier in the night, rising Australian cruiserweight Luke Modini crushed Peng Qu of China to capture the IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title. In what was the Brisbane southpaw's No Limit debut, Modini worked his opponent over with brutal body attacks for three rounds before Peng's corner threw in the white towel.
Heavyweights Demsey McKean and Liam Talivaa put on a spectacular offensive show, slugging it out over four enthralling rounds that had the crowd in raptures. The contest was ultimately waved off when an exhausted and wobbly Talivaa was unable to raise his gloves, earning McKean the IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight belt.
The main card began with Queenslander Stevan Ivic scoring the ninth win of his career, but only the third via stoppage, with a third-round TKO of Caleb Tialu in their heavyweight contest.
Talented 20-year-old super welterweight Jack Javed put on a clinic against Lance McDonald to score a third-round stoppage and improve to 2-0 as a professional. Local fighters Vegas Larfield and Riley Candy were also a class above their opponents during the prelims, scoring technical knockout wins against Shamal Ram Anuj and Brayden Rawlins, respectively.
Here's how fight night unfolded at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane:
Results from Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro fight night:
Lewis Crocker (22-1) def. by Liam Paro (28-1) for IBF welterweight title
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (3-0) vs. George Burgess (0-1) by third round TKO (heavyweight)
Demsey McKean (25-2) def. Liam Talivaa (8-3) by fourth round TKO for Pan Pacific heavyweight title
Luke Modini (14-0) def. Peng Qu (17-3-1) by third round TKO for IBF Pan Pacific cruiserweight title
Stevan Ivic (9-0-1) def. Caleb Tialu (3-8) by third round TKO (heavyweight)
Jack Javed (2-0) def. Lance McDonald (1-6-1) by third round TKO (super welterweight)
Vegas Larfield (14-1) def. Shamal Ram Anuj (11-9) by fourth round TKO (featherweight)
Riley Candy (9-1) def. Brayden Rawlins (1-3) by first round TKO (super middleweight)
Follow all of the action from the Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro fight night in Brisbane with ESPN's live blog: