{"id":655936,"date":"2026-06-24T15:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/655936\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T15:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T15:04:12","slug":"liam-paro-survives-horror-cut-to-beat-lewis-crocker-and-become-two-weight-world-champion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/655936\/","title":{"rendered":"Liam Paro survives horror cut to beat Lewis Crocker and become two-weight world champion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liam Paro<\/a> dug in deep to overcome Lewis Crocker<\/a> and become the new IBF welterweight champion.<\/p>\n

The pair were squaring off at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, Australia, with Paro successful in his bid to claim world honours in a second division after previously reigning as IBF world champion at 140lbs.<\/p>\n

Paro took control in the early stages of the fight, landing the better punches as Crocker struggled to find the space to unleash the big shots he was looking for.<\/p>\n

With Paro seemingly ahead, Crocker gave his all as the bout entered the closing stages, pushing the pace as he went in search of a come-from-behind knockout, opening up a big cut on Paro\u2019s left eye that troubled the Australian.<\/p>\n

Crocker piles it on with 90 seconds to go as Paro bleeds badly from a cut \ud83e\udd76#CrockerParo<\/a> | Live now on DAZN \u25aa\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/j4NoBz886A<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) June 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Despite the onslaught, Paro was able to see out the fight, doing enough to earn a narrow unanimous decision victory after three scorecards of 115-113, becoming IBF welterweight champion in the process.<\/p>\n

The Australian now looks set for a showdown with mandatory challenger Paddy Donovan<\/a>, but he insisted in his post-fight interview that the challengers should now have to come to him as he holds all the cards.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis means everything. It\u2019s a long hard road. I climbed the mountain before, got knocked off and here I am again. I had to dig deep. Lewis Crocker is a hell of a champion. He came here to fight so I respect him for life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to bring the big fights here. f**k travelling. I\u2019ll have a good rest and let this eye heal up. The welterweight division is a glamour division. I deserve my seat at the table. I want all the smoke. I want everyone. We\u2019ve got the pulling power. We always cross the pond, it\u2019s time for people to come here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Donovan became mandatory after a points win over Karen Chukhadzhian last month, and looks set for his second opportunity at a world title after an unsuccessful bid in a vacant title bout with Crocker last year.<\/a><\/p>\n