Liam Paro is aiming to become just the second Australian-born male boxer to win world titles in multiple divisions when he welcomes Northern Irishman Lewis Crocker to his home state of Queensland.
The pair clash for Crocker’s IBF welterweight title at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena on Wednesday, June 24, with “The Croc” being forced to defend his belt away from home after No Limit Boxing won the purse bid.
Can former IBF super lightweight titleholder Paro add the 147-pound strap to his collection or will the champ’s reign continue on enemy soil?
WATCH: Crocker vs. Paro, live on Kayo
In the co-main event, former NRL stars Nelson Asofa-Solomona and George Burgess meet in what shapes as an explosive heavyweight showdown.
Keep up to date with all the latest from Pat Rafter Arena below:
Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro live fight updates and highlights
Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro
Round 2: Similar pattern to the first, although Paro now adding in some right hooks to the mix. Crocker’s high guard holding firm for now as he looks for a way in. The challenger firing off some sharp combinations in counter. They tangle briefly. Crocker lands a straight right hand late in the round.
20-18 Paro
Round 1: Paro on the jab early. Crocker watchful but looking to press forward. Paro far busier and mixing in some hooks. Crocker ducks under one. Right hook lands for Paro who looks confident. Crocker continues to push forward but can’t get to the Aussie just yet.
10-9 Paro
9:36 pm: Both fighters are in the ring for the main event. Follow along with our unofficial scorecard.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona takes out tough George Burgess
Burgess made Asofa-Solomona work for his third professional victory, taking the former Storm front-rower into the third round.
A gassed Burgess had used most of his petrol in the opening round but made things difficult enough for NAS before the Kiwi’s offence eventually proved too much, with the corner throwing in the towel.
Demsey McKean takes out heavyweight slugfest with Liam Talivaa
Towering southpaw McKean emerged victorious inside four action-packed rounds against Talivaa.
Both fighters landed big shots but it was McKean who was hurting his opponent more consistently, including a knockdown shortly before the finish.
Luke Modini records another knockout
Impressive Queensland cruiserweight Luke Modini moved to 14-0 with 12 KOs thanks to a dominant performance against China’s Peng Qu.
A left hand late in the third round dropped Qu, whose corner threw in the towel as their fighter attempted to beat the count.
Stevan Ivic stops Caleb Tialu inside three
Australian heavyweight champion Ivic made light enough work of Tialu in this non-title bout, dropping him with two right hands before getting the stoppage shortly after following a sharp combination.
Jack Javed takes out the G-string showdown
After stunning at yesterday’s weigh-in, Javed proved too sharp for a game Lance McDonald, dropping him in the first before forcing Phil Austin stepped in during the third.
Vegas Larfield outclasses Shamal Ram Anuj
Almost a year to the day since his last outing, Larfield proved too good for Anuj, outworking the Fijian and eventually forcing the stoppage in the fourth.
Riley Candy stops Brayden Rawlins in the first
In the battle of the Queenslanders, Candy gets the job done quickly, dropping Rawlins twice on the way to a first-round knockout.
Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro full fight card and results
- Lewis Crocker (C) vs Liam Paro for the IBF welterweight title
- Nelson Asofa-Solomana def. George Burgess via TKO3 – Heavyweight
- Demsey McKean def. Liam Talivaa via TKO4 – Heavyweight
- Luke Modini def. Peng Qu via TKO3 – Cruiserweight
- Stevan Ivic def. Caleb Tialu via TKO3 – Heavyweight
- Jack Javed def. Lance McDonald via TKO3 – Super welterweight
- Vegas Larfield def. Shamal Ram Anuj via TKO4 – Featherweight
- Riley Candy def. Brayden Rawlins via TKO1 – Super middleweight