Crocker will defend his IBF title against Australian Paro

Who wins: Lewis Crocker v Liam Paro?

By Ben | Split Decision
Updated: June 01, 2026, 18:00 BST
Published: June 01, 2026, 18:00 BST

Lewis Crocker defends his IBF welterweight title against Liam Paro on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, with the main event ringwalk expected around late morning to midday UK time. Crocker, 22-0 with 11 KOs, makes the first defence of the belt he won last September, while Paro, 27-1 with 16 KOs, fights for a world title on home soil.

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This is a hard road for a first defence. Crocker won the IBF strap with a split decision over Paddy Donovan at Windsor Park, the second instalment of a feud that started with a controversial disqualification. He wanted Paro in Belfast, yet No Limit Boxing edged Matchroom in a purse bid by roughly A$27,000, so the Belfast man travels to Queensland instead.

Paro, born in Mackay and raised on rugby league before boxing took over, knows this building well. His last fight, a gutsy points win over David Papot, happened at the very same venue. Before that win, Paro spoke to Fox Sports Australia about the occasion. “It’s the kind of moment you dream about as a kid,” he said.

The winner here strengthens his claim to a unification fight, since the welterweight division is stacked with belt-holders. As of May 2026, Crocker holds the IBF welterweight title, while Paro enters as the mandatory challenger and a former IBF super-lightweight champion.

When is Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro? UK time, ringwalks and how to watch

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro takes place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia. No Limit Boxing promotes the card after winning the purse bid, with Crocker defending his IBF welterweight title over 12 rounds.

Because the fight is taking place midweek in Queensland, UK fans face a daytime watch rather than the usual late-night slot. With the event listed for the evening in Brisbane, UK viewers should expect a late-morning or lunchtime main event rather than a late-night ringwalk.

DAZN shows the card in the UK and Ireland, in line with its ongoing Matchroom partnership.It looks set to land on the standard DAZN subscription rather than a separate pay-per-view. You can sign up to DAZN through our affiliate link. It costs the same for you and helps support Split Decision.

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro Full Fight Card

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro headlines the card at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, with Crocker defending his IBF welterweight title over 12 rounds. No Limit Boxing has started filling out the undercard, which includes a mix of Australian names, crossover interest and heavyweight support.

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro Tale of the Tape

Lewis Crocker:

Liam Paro:

Lewis Crocker recent form

Liam Paro recent form

Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro prediction

No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose framed the match-up bluntly to Fox Sports Australia. “This is a proper world title fight between two guys right in the middle of their prime,” he said, and the styles back that up. Paro fought twelve rounds with one eye against Papot at this venue, so the travel and the occasion will not rattle him. Crocker, for his part, looked a smarter fighter in the Donovan rematch than in their chaotic first meeting.

Split Decision backs Crocker to edge it on points, with the cleaner work and ring craft carrying him across a tight, awkward twelve rounds. That said, this is a genuine coin-flip on the road. Paro has beaten a more dangerous puncher than anyone Crocker has shared a ring with, and a home decision on a close card would surprise nobody.

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