In a surprising turn of events, Lewis Crocker, the IBF welterweight world champion from Belfast, is set to make his first title defense on Australian soil. The bout, originally slated to take place in Belfast, will now see Crocker squaring off against mandatory challenger Liam Paro after a high-stakes purse bid favored Paro’s promoters, No Limit Boxing.
The purse bid, rumored to be in the vicinity of 1.5 million Australian dollars, has shifted the promotional control to No Limit Boxing. This development has sparked discussions about potential venues, with Las Vegas being considered before the final decision to host the fight in Australia was announced.
“No Limit Boxing has secured promotional rights to Liam Paro’s IBF world title challenge, successfully winning the official purse bid overnight to lock in a blockbuster world championship bout on Australian soil,” the promoters stated. “As the mandatory to IBF champion Lewis Crocker, Paro will finally have the opportunity to fight for a world title in Australia, after previously defending his IBF crown overseas.”
The specifics of the event, including the date and venue, are expected to be revealed shortly. Had Matchroom, Crocker’s promoters, won the bid, the fight would have been held at the SSE Arena in Belfast on April 18. This change of plans means Crocker’s first defense will be far from home, adding an extra layer of challenge to his title reign.
Crocker, who has not defended his title since winning it in September with a victory over Paddy Donovan, will now face Paro in what promises to be an electrifying matchup. The 29-year-old champion will be looking to make a strong statement in his first defense, while Paro aims to capitalize on the home advantage.
This fight marks a significant moment in both boxers’ careers and is set to be a highlight in the boxing calendar. Fans Down Under are eagerly anticipating the clash, which is poised to bring high-energy action and potentially historic outcomes.
Team_TBE Boxing
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