IBF Orders Crocker to Face Paro in Mandatory Defense

Belfast welterweight champion Lewis Crocker must defend his IBF title against Australian contender Liam Paro in a mandatory bout, after the sanctioning body rejected a request for an optional defense against another opponent.

The International Boxing Federation issued the order this week, confirming Paro as Crocker's next challenger following a series of developments that altered the division's landscape. Crocker, who holds an undefeated record of 22-0 with 11 knockouts, captured the vacant 147-pound belt in September 2025 with a 12-round split decision victory over Paddy Donovan in Belfast. That win came six months after their first encounter, which ended in controversy when Donovan was disqualified for landing a punch after the bell.

Crocker's promoter, Matchroom Boxing, had sought permission for a voluntary defense in April against England's Conah Walker, whom Crocker defeated by unanimous decision in June 2024. The proposed dates of April 18 or 25 fell beyond the IBF's March 13 mandatory deadline, prompting the request for an exception. However, IBF President Daryl Peoples stated in a letter to Matchroom that the organization denied the proposal after a January 7 video...