Liam Paro Becomes Two-Division Champion, Hands Lewis Crocker First Career Defeat

Australian survives late pressure and unanimous decision victory makes him a two-division world champion

Liam Paro (28-1, 16 KOs) became a two-division world champion on Wednesday night, outpointing Lewis Crocker (22-1, 11 KOs) by unanimous decision to win the IBF welterweight title in Brisbane. All three judges scored the fight 115-113 after Paro built an early lead and held off a fierce late rally from the defending champion.

Paro enjoyed the stronger start, using his southpaw stance, movement, and sharp combinations to keep Crocker from establishing a consistent rhythm. The Australian repeatedly beat the champion to the punch and built an early lead on the scorecards.

Crocker found success in the second round when a hard right hand bloodied Paro’s nose, and he continued applying pressure throughout the fight. The Belfast native had one of his best moments in the fifth, landing a powerful right hand that sent Paro stumbling into the ropes after the challenger appeared to have hurt him earlier in the round with a left uppercut.

The middle rounds were closely contested. Paro continued landing the cleaner shots while Crocker pressed forward, looking to close the distance and force exchanges. When Crocker connected, his punches appeared to have the greater impact.

Knowing he might need a finish, Crocker surged in the championship rounds. He backed Paro to the ropes in the eleventh and twelfth rounds and landed several heavy combinations. A right hand in the final round opened a cut over Paro’s left eye, leaving the Australian bloodied and badly swollen as the fight entered its closing moments.

Despite the late pressure, Paro stayed on his feet and reached the final bell. His work in the opening and middle rounds proved enough to convince all three judges, who returned identical 115-113 scorecards in his favor.

The victory gives Paro a world title in a second weight class and places him among the contenders in a welterweight division that is beginning to undergo significant changes. Crocker, meanwhile, emerged from the defeat with his reputation intact after pushing the new champion to the limit on foreign soil.

Share on Facebook

Post on X