It’s been nearly a decade since Australia last hosted a major championship boxing event.
Back then, Brisbane’s own Jeff Horn stunned the world by defeating the legendary Manny Pacquiao through a unanimous decision, capturing both the WBO and lineal welterweight championships.
Now, another Queenslander, Liam Paro, is eager to replicate Horn’s success. He aims to claim a world title in front of his hometown crowd in Brisbane when he faces off against Lewis Crocker for the IBF welterweight title.
Crocker initially had his sights set on staging the fight in Belfast, hoping to see it held at Windsor Park. However, Paro’s camp managed to outbid Crocker’s promoter, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom.
Having already secured the IBF light-welterweight championship, Paro is setting his sights on following in the footsteps of Australian boxing great Jeff Fenech by clinching world titles across two different weight divisions.
Liam Paro will take on Lewis Crocker for the IBF welterweight title in Brisbane, marking the first world title fight at Pat Rafter Arena since Jeff Horn vs Manny Pacquiao
Paro is looking to emulate Jeff Fenech by becoming a two-weight world champion having upset Subriel Matias to claim the IBF light-welterweight title.
Lewis Crocker stands in Paro’s way having overcome Paddy Donovan in back-to-back fights
Jeff Horn pulled off a major upset when he beat Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title via unanimous decision
Jeff Fenech became the first Australian boxer to claim world titles at two different weight classes
According to reports, No Limit had to fork out $1.125 million in order to gain the rights to host the world title bout.
Speaking of the opportunity to fight for the welterweight title in his hometown, Paro said, ‘This is a huge moment for myself and Australian boxing,’ Paro said.
‘To have a world-title fight in Australia means the world to me.
‘I want to be a star here in Australia and bring the biggest fights to Australia.
‘Aussie boxers usually have to travel overseas for world-title fights but No Limit are showing they have the pulling power to bring these fights here.
‘I feel pumped, I’m ready to go.’
The former light-welterweight champion claimed his first world title when he upset Subriel Matias for the IBF light-welterweight crown.
The Puerto Rican was somewhat of the boogeyman of the division at the time, but the Aussie superstar marched into his backyard and boxed his ears off to claim a unanimous decision.
But his initial title reign was short-lived as he was defeated in his first title defence by Matias’ countryman Richardson Hitchins.
Paro has since stepped up a weight-class, and has won his first two fights at welterweight to set up his blockbuster clash with Crocker.
Crocker poses another daunting task for the Queenslander, he is currently undefeated in his 22 fights and has recorded 11 knockouts in the process.
He will arrive down under next month with a point to prove as well having come through back-to-back controversial clashes with Paddy Donovan.
Despite his opponents impressive record, Paro is full of confidence ahead of his next world-title shot, ‘I believe I will beat him because I’m the better all-round boxer,’ Paro said.
‘Crocker has power but he hasn’t fought at the very top level, he has been on the fringe. He is slippery and undefeated but he will be out of his depth when he steps into the ring with me.
‘When I’m on, no-one can really match me as Matias found out in Puerto Rico. I’m ready to take his undefeated record and his belt.’
Speaking of the opportunity for Brisbane to host a fight of this magnitude, No Limit boss Matt Rose said, ‘This is massive for Australia boxing.
‘This will be the first world title fight in Brisbane since Jeff Horn beat Manny Pacquiao. It’s a significant fight and Australian sporting fans have to understand just how good Liam Paro is.
‘If he wins this fight, he will become only our second two-division world champion and the first since Jeff Fenech.
‘Lewis Crocker is a seriously dangerous opponent. It’s a world-title contest so these fights are never easy, Crocker has huge power in his left hand, but Liam is one of the smartest fighters in the world today.
‘This is a huge coup for Australian boxing.’
Paro was 21 when he saw Horn pull off the seemingly impossible against Pacquiao, and now the 30-year-old has the opportunity to make more Australian boxing history in that very same arena.