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Crocker Defends IBF Title Against Paro in Brisbane

6/24/2026

Summary

Crocker Defends Title

Lewis Crocker will defend his IBF welterweight title against Liam Paro in Brisbane on 24 June 2026.
Both fighters made weight at 66.65 kg after Crocker struggled with the cut and felt sick.
Australian promoter No Limit won the purse bid by $27,000 over Matchroom, securing Paro’s mandatory challenger status.
Paro hopes to become the second Australian, after Jeff Fenech, to win world titles in two weight classes.

Summary

Burgess Debuts

The fight streams on Kayo Sports as a $59.95 pay-per-view.
Prelims, the main card, and the title fight are scheduled for 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM, and after 10:00 PM AEST respectively.
The card lists Paro at $1 and Crocker at $2.40 and features a heavyweight bout between ex-NRL players Nelson Asofa-Solomona and George Burgess, with Burgess making his professional debut.
Australian viewers must have a Foxtel Main Event subscription to watch the broadcast.

History

Historical Context

In 1991 Jeff Fenech captured the WBC super-featherweight crown, joining his earlier IBF bantamweight (1985) and WBC super-bantamweight (1987) titles to become one of Australia’s early multi-division world champions. That domestic title-defence tradition resurfaces in the 2026 IBF welterweight bout between Lewis Crocker and Liam Paro, echoing Fenech’s championship model. Fenech’s legacy was cemented with his 2002 induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Crocker Defends Title

Lewis Crocker will defend his IBF welterweight title against Liam Paro in Brisbane on 24 June 2026.
Both fighters made weight at 66.65 kg after Crocker struggled with the cut and felt sick.
Australian promoter No Limit won the purse bid by $27,000 over Matchroom, securing Paro’s mandatory challenger status.
Paro hopes to become the second Australian, after Jeff Fenech, to win world titles in two weight classes.

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