Liam Paro Takes Lewis Crocker’s World Title After Fierce 12-Round Battle In Brisbane

Lewis Crocker’s reign as IBF welterweight champion came to an end in Australia, but he left Brisbane with plenty of credit after pushing Liam Paro all the way in a hard-fought world title fight.

Paro started fast, built an early lead and then had to survive a late surge from the Belfast fighter, who looked close to turning the fight around in the championship rounds. In the end, all three judges scored it 115-113 for the hometown man.

Elsewhere on the card, Demsey McKean handled business in four rounds, Luke Modini claimed a regional title with a corner retirement victory, and several prospects picked up early stoppages.

Main Event

Liam Paro (27-1-0) UD 12 Lewis Crocker (22-0-0)

The scorecards all read 115-113 for Liam Paro after a fascinating 12-round contest for the IBF World Welterweight title.

Paro looked sharp from the opening bell. His movement, speed and work rate caused Crocker problems early, with the Australian consistently landing the cleaner shots while avoiding much of the champion’s heavier work.

Crocker never stopped marching forward, but for much of the first half of the fight he struggled to pin Paro down. The challenger was throwing more punches, controlling the tempo and steadily building an advantage.

The fight began to shift in the middle rounds. Crocker found more success behind his jab and started landing the heavier punches. By round nine he had cut Paro under the right eye and suddenly the fight felt very different.

The final two rounds belonged to the Belfast fighter. Crocker poured on the pressure, landed several eye-catching shots and drew more blood from Paro’s damaged eye. For a moment it looked like he might force a dramatic stoppage.

Paro stood firm though. He absorbed the pressure, heard the final bell and was rewarded with a unanimous decision victory to become the new IBF world welterweight champion. A close fight, but not a shocking decision.

Co-Main Event

Demsey McKean (24-2-0) TKO 4 Liam Talivaa (8-2-0)

McKean got the job done in four rounds, stopping Liam Talivaa and getting himself back into the win column.

The heavyweight contender was simply too experienced and too accurate as the fight progressed. Once he found his rhythm, Talivaa struggled to keep him off and the bout was waved off in round four.

Other Title Fights

Luke Modini (13-0-0) TKO 3 Peng Qu (17-2-1)

Luke Modini added the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Cruiserweight title to his collection after forcing Peng Qu’s corner to throw in the towel in round three.

Modini looked in complete control and the corner had seen enough before the fight could go any further. A statement win and another unbeaten record remains intact.

Non-Title Undercard

Vegas Larfield (13-1-0) TKO 4 Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8-0)

Larfield closed the show in round four, forcing a stoppage against the durable Anuj after steadily breaking him down.

Riley Candy (8-1-0) TKO 1 Brayden Rawlins (1-2-0)

No hanging around here. Candy blasted through Rawlins in the opening round, with the three-knockdown rule bringing a quick end to the contest.

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (2-0-0) TKO 3 George Burgess (debut)

Asofa-Solomona continued his strong start in professional boxing, stopping fellow sporting convert Burgess in round three.

Stevan Ivic (8-0-1) TKO 3 Caleb Tialu (3-7-0)

Ivic remained unbeaten after forcing a third-round stoppage against Tialu in another heavyweight contest.

Jack Javed (1-0-0) TKO 3 Lance McDonald (1-5-1)

Javed picked up his second professional victory with a third-round stoppage of McDonald, who was also deducted a point in the final round for holding.

Final Thoughts

Paro’s fast start ultimately proved the difference, but Crocker’s late rally made sure this one stayed interesting right until the final bell. The Australian leaves with the world title, while Crocker showed enough in defeat to suggest he will be back in big fights sooner rather than later.