Liam Paro captured the IBF welterweight crown in Brisbane, edging Belfast’s Lewis Crocker 115‑113 on all three panels. The 30‑year‑old, former light‑welterweight champ, became the first Australian‑born boxer since Jeff Fenech to hold titles in two divisions. The win came after a back‑and‑forth bout that tested both fighters’ stamina.

Paro’s sharp south‑paw jab and relentless volume kept Crocker on the defensive, while the Belfast man struggled to land a decisive blow. A sixth‑round left hook from Crocker produced swelling over Paro’s left eye, yet the Australian’s work‑rate outpaced the champion’s pace. Crocker, 29, suffered his first career reverse in 23 fights, ending a 28‑win streak.

With the title in hand, Paro eyes unification against leaders like Devin Haney or Ryan Garcia, while the draw‑down for Crocker means a rebuild. Paro’s victory marks a historic moment for Australian boxing and resets the welterweight landscape as the IBF champion prepares for his next high‑profile defence.

The fight, held at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena, finished in a close 115‑113 decision after 12 rounds of back‑and‑forth action. Paro’s coach noted the Australian’s resilience, saying the champion “climbed the mountain” after a prior loss to Richardson Hitchens. Crocker’s new corner man, Huzaifah Iqbal, could not alter the outcome, leaving the Belfast fighter to reassess his strategy.