Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker, Tim Tszyu shock claim, refuses to face off, video, start time, stream, how to watch

Liam Paro will challenge IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker on Wednesday, June 24, at 7pm AEST in Brisbane. Former world champion Tim Tszyu predicts Paro will win the title, stating that Paro’s previous victory over Frenchman David Papot was a tougher test than the current matchup with the undefeated Belfast champion.

The fight comes amid tension between the camps. According to reports, Crocker and his team refused a request from No Limit promoters to conduct a face-off with Paro. The two are instead expected to meet for the first time tonight at a Grand Arrivals function.

Why is the Paro vs. Crocker fight historically significant?

A victory for the 30-year-old Paro would make him the first Australian-born fighter since Jeff Fenech to win world titles in more than one weight division across the four major organizations. Paro previously won the IBF super lightweight crown in 2024 by defeating Subriel Matias.

Should he succeed, Paro joins an elite group of Australian boxers who have won titles in multiple divisions, including Anthony Mundine, Vic Darchinyan, and Danny Green. Tim Tszyu told Fox Sports Australia that Paro is one of the country’s smartest fighters and possesses “dynamite in his hands.”

Did You Know? Australian promoters No Limit secured the rights to host this event by winning a purse bid against Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing by a margin of just $27,000. No Limit bid $1.152 million, while Matchroom offered $1.125 million.

How did Liam Paro earn his title shot?

Paro earned his opportunity after a decision win against David Papot in September last year. Fighting in his first bout as a genuine welterweight at Pat Rafter Arena, Paro won with scorecards of 116-112, 116-112, and 117-111.

Tszyu described the Papot fight as a “life and death” test and believes Papot was a better fighter than Crocker. The path to the title fight changed when Paddy Donovan withdrew from a scheduled eliminator due to illness, moving Paro directly into the title contention.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the psychological pressure shifts when a champion fights abroad as the underdog. Crocker has explicitly embraced this role, suggesting that fighting away from home builds his legacy and removes the pressure associated with being the hometown favorite.

What delayed the championship bout?

The fight was originally slated for April but was delayed after champion Lewis Crocker suffered a hand injury during training. Crocker arrived in Australia two weeks early for the rescheduled June date.

Episode 60: Brad Pauls vs Bradley Goldsmith, Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker, Breakdown, Analysis, & more

Crocker told media this week that he is comfortable being the “odds-on favourite” in Paro’s backyard. He noted that winning a title abroad differs from his previous experience winning the world title in his hometown stadium.

What could happen next in the welterweight division?

If Paro wins the IBF belt, he may be positioned as a primary target for other top-tier welterweights. A victory would solidify his status as a multi-division champion and likely increase the commercial value of his future bouts in Australia.

Conversely, a Crocker victory would maintain his undefeated record and potentially lead to further defenses of the IBF title abroad. The outcome will determine if Paro can match the historical precedent set by Jeff Fenech.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Paro v Crocker fight?
The fight takes place on Wednesday, June 24, from 7pm AEST in Brisbane.

Who won the purse bid for the event?
No Limit promoters won the purse bid with an offer of $1.152 million, beating Matchroom Boxing’s bid of $1.125 million.

Which Australian boxers have won titles in multiple divisions?
Along with Jeff Fenech, other Australian boxers to achieve this include Anthony Mundine, Vic Darchinyan, and Danny Green.

Do you think Liam Paro can become the first Australian-born fighter since Jeff Fenech to win major world titles in two weight classes?