Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro
There's going to be a new kind of 'Croc' Down Under in June.
Belfast's Lewis Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) will defend his IBF welterweight title against Australian Liam Paro (27-1, 16 KOs) at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on June 24.
Irishman Crocker hopes that victory over local hero Paro would help open the door to a unification bout with another belt-holder in the division.
The 29-year-old won the title with a split decision verdict over Paddy Donovan at Belfast's Windsor Park in September and his team had hoped to stage the defence against mandatory challenger Paro in his home city.
However, with no agreement reached between the parties, the matter was resolved by a purse bid, with No Limit outbidding Crocker's promoter Matchroom Boxing by A$27,000 (£20,000).
Crocker's manager Jamie Conlan revealed in February that the Belfast fighter was recovering from a hand injury.
Paro is aiming to become a world champion for the second time, having upset Subriel Matias to clinch the IBF light-welterweight crown in 2024.
The Australian beat Frenchman David Papot at the same Brisbane venue last September.
