Lewis Crocker lost his IBF welterweight title to Australian Liam Paro over 12 intense rounds at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
Crocker brought the power and was the aggressor throughout but local favourite Paro was resilient and tough and his slick boxing skills banked early rounds.
Crocker threw everything at the Aussie challenger in the final third of an intense battle but he was unable to sway the judges his way and all three scored it 115-113 for Paro.
“It was a fantastic fight,” said a magnanimous Crocker afterwards.
“You’re a true champion Liam and I respect you, congratulations. It was a very close fight, a bit more could have been done (by the referee) about the holding but congratulations to Liam, he’s a fantastic fighter.”
Paddy Donovan is already being mentioned as a future opponent for new champ Paro. Limerick’s ‘Real Deal’ may have to travel to Australia to get a crack at his title.
“We’ve got the belt, we’ve got the pulling power now so it’s time to come Down Under and fight here,” Paro said.
“The fans deserve it, I’ve got my piece of the puzzle so come and get it.”
Crocker, introduced as “rough and rugged”, was booed by sections of the crowd as he made his way to the arena to Metallica’sominous heavy metal classic ‘Enter Sandman’.
With a 50% KO record, there’s never been any doubt that ‘Croc’ has the power to put an opponent to sleep and the fight was billed as a clash of his punching versus Paro’s skill.
That’s the way it turned out.
Crocker, a seasoned welterweight, towered over ‘The Prodigy’ and came forward behind a high guard from the opening bell. He pushed Paro back and switched attacks to head and body off his lead left hand. A Paro counter caught him in the final minute after he’d landed a solid right hand.
Liam Paro and Lewis Crocker engaged in battle at the Pat Rafter Arena
Busy Paro landed a stinging left early in the second and his quick feet created awkward angles for Crocker who was concentrating on power not volume.
Bang-bang-bang-bang… Crocker landed a double uppercut and a double right hook in the early stages of the third. Paro was warned for use of the head and the Aussie just managed to evade a wicked right hand as the round came to an end.
Crocker didn’t look worried by Paro’s power. He fired in a booming right hand over the top and then grinned as the home favourite replied but a straight left got through as bell rang.
That seemed to give Paro confidence and there were shades of Crocker-Donovan 1 as he attacked the static Belfast man for the first two minutes until the former Holy Trinity ABC star burst into life and peppered him with a series of right hands.
“He’s got nothing, nothing,” claimed Paro’s corner before they sent their man out for the sixth.
Crocker had plenty. Looking fresh and full of energy, his three-punch combination ended with a stinging right hand and he finished the round with a left hook that bounced off Paro’s chin.
The Aussie had plenty to think about as he returned to his corner and the fight continued to swing back and forth.
Relentless Crocker upped his work rate and gave Paro no time to reset and stepped in with a right hand but the Queenslander is a tough cookie and his elusive skills saw him box impressively throughout the round.
Liam Paro surveys the arena after his victory
Crocker found his range in the eighth. A left hand over the top stung Paro and then he dipped and landed a left hand that left the Aussie with swelling under the right eye. Another got through but again Paro responded and made it to the end of the round with no more alarms.
It looked like one massive Crocker shot would turn the fight his way and heavy leather landed from him throughout the ninth. Paro looked shaken as he made his way back to the corner after shipping a lot of punishment.
But the Australian was prepared to walk through the fire and as Crocker looked for the big shot he remained composed and boxed and moved throughout the 10th as the Irishman swung and, mostly, missed.
Paro looked to be tiring in the 11th and Crocker was much more accurate. He chased his opponent round the ring, firing chopping left hands and right hooks as Paro ran for cover.
Pinned on the ropes, a freight train right snapped Paro’s head back and another drove him across the round with blood pumping out of his left eye. Paro clung on desperately as Crocker looked for knockout blow.
It didn’t come and he’ll return to Belfast without his hard-won IBF belt.