Australian boxing star Liam Paro is set to challenge for a world title on home soil after promoters No Limit Boxing secured promotional rights for his IBF world title challenge against unbeaten Lewis Crocker.
No Limit successfully winning the official purse bid overnight means Paro will finally have the opportunity to fight for a world title in Australia, after previously being required to defend his IBF crown overseas in Puerto Rico.
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A date and venue for the fight are expected to be announced soon.
Par 27-1 (16 KOs) is the mandatory challenger to Northern Irishman Crocker, 22-0 (11 KOs), who is making the first defence of his IBF welterweight belt and is represented by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom boxing.
It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Paro, who had been slated to fight Irishman Paddy Donovan in a title eliminator on the Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa card last month, before Donovan pulled out injured.
As a former super-lightweight world champion, Paro is looking to become only the second Australian-born male fighter to win recognised world titles in multiple divisions, following the legendary Jeff Fenech.
“This is everything I’ve wanted,” Paro said.
“I never got the chance as a world champion to defend a title on home soil, so to now fight for another world title in Australia is something special.”
“No Limit Boxing went to work and delivered this. They backed me, they believed in me, and now we get to do this in front of Australian fans.”
“I’ve already proven I can win a world title anywhere. Now it’s time to make history at home, follow in the footsteps of a legend like Jeff Fenech, and become a two-time world champion.”