Crocker to Defend IBF Title vs Paro in Australia

Lewis Crocker will defend his IBF welterweight title against mandatory challenger Liam Paro in Australia, after Paro's promoter outbid Crocker's team in a purse bid process that shifted the bout from the champion's preferred location in Belfast. The fight, Crocker's first title defense since winning the belt last September, is set to occur within 90 days, with details on the exact date and venue to be announced soon.

No Limit Boxing, which represents the Australian Paro, secured promotional rights by submitting a winning bid of $1,152,000 during Tuesday's IBF hearing in Springfield, New Jersey. This edged out a $1,125,000 offer from Matchroom Boxing, Crocker's promoter. Under IBF rules, Crocker receives 65 percent of the purse, amounting to $748,800, while Paro gets the remaining 35 percent, or $403,200. The decision means Crocker, a 29-year-old from Northern Ireland with an undefeated record of 22-0 and 11 knockouts, must travel more than 9,000 kilometers from his hometown to face Paro in front of a home crowd for his opponent.

The matchup stems from IBF sanctioning requirements. Crocker captured the vacant welterweight title on September 13 in Belfast, defeating fellow Irish...