Crocker and Paro fight for history and legacy

As Lewis Crocker realised a lifetime dream by winning the IBF welterweight title at Windsor Park in his native Belfast last September, predictably, the questions as to what is next quickly followed.

Marquee names such as Conor Benn and Devin Haney were rumoured for a lucrative first defence, while a domestic rematch with Conah Walker was also touted, but instead of home comforts, the 29-year-old finds himself in Brisbane, Australia to face mandatory contender and local favourite Liam Paro on Wednesday.

With Paddy Donovan - whom Crocker had edged in their rematch to claim the title last year to improve to 22 wins from as many contests - withdrawing from a final eliminator against Paro [27-1] in January, the former IBF light-welterweight champion was elevated to mandatory challenger.

Australian promoter No Limit would win the purse bid, edging out Crocker's promoter Matchroom by $27,000 (£20,000), handing Paro the opportunity to win a world title in his native Queensland.

Roles are somewhat reversed this time, as Paro won his first world title in the 10st division by upsetting the odds in June 2024 against Puerto Rico's Subriel Matias in enemy territory, before returning to the island to be out-pointed by USA's Richardson Hitchens six months later.

This time, it's Crocker, 29, who makes the long trip for his maiden defence with Paro enjoying the home support at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Centre, but the Belfast man has adopted a philosophical view.

Despite having won the first fight against Donovan by disqualification, he entered the ring at Windsor Park as an underdog - a role he is keen to play this week to put the pressure on the challenger who appears almost confused by this approach.

"Paro is the odds-on favourite here and everyone is coming to see him," Crocker said.

"I went through that the last time, so it takes a bit of ease off my mind and I'm prepared."

Prepared he will need to be as he will face a challenger who has proven himself as a world-class fighter, albeit in the division below.

Paro, 30, wastes no time from the opening bell, working well out of his southpaw stance with speed and and feints which have helped him bank early rounds against Matias and Hitchens.

Against Matias, he stood up to some heavy fire against a fearsome puncher, but was unable to sustain his fast start against Hitchens whose timing saw him take over and this is an area which the Belfast man will know he must shine.

In the rematch victory against Donovan, it was a perfectly-timed left hook that dropped the Limerick man who was badly hurt, a shot that caused Paro trouble in his ultimately gruelling welterweight debut win against David Papot last September, which left him with a closed right eye by the end of the 12 rounds.

Crocker, whose 11 knockouts from 22 wins doesn't tell the full story of his power, can utilise that weapon having now had plenty of southpaw experience in the two Donovan fights and while taking the fight out of the judges hands on away soil is "ideally how we'll do it", there is no downplaying the "tough test" at hand.

"Liam Paro is a great fighter," the defending champion accepts.

"He first came onto my radar when he won the world title at light-welter. I was actually rooting for him as he was such a big underdog [against Matias], but I never looked then and thought I'd be fighting him.

"He's experienced, a former world champion and been in with some of the biggest names. He's a tough guy, a great boxer with good fundamentals, so I'll have to be at my best."

Paro is chasing not just a first world title win on home soil, but also the dream of becoming just the second Australia-born fighter to become a multi-weight champion, following in the footsteps of Jeff Fenech who won in three divisions between bantamweight and featherweight in the 1980s.

"To join the name of Jeff Fenech - the greatest Australian boxer we've had - is humbling," he continued.

"I don't want to look too far ahead as I've a tough test in Crocker, but what's on the horizon is enough motivation to keep pushing and make history."

While history beckons for Paro, both are aware that victory opens the door to some huge nights against the big names of a star-studded division.

Victory is unlikely to be straightforward for either and while Crocker has been dealt a tough hand for his first defence, he is aware of the "life-changing opportunities if I get past this fight".

"I've an ex-world champion to beat here and then the doors really open up for me," he acknowledged.

"I'm really focused for Paro, but aware of what's around the corner."