The Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson is set to host Liam Paro’s IBF welterweight title fight against Lewis Crocker, with the Queensland boxer trying to become Australia’s first male two-division world champion since Jeff Fenech.
Paro will fight unbeaten Northern Irish champion Lewis Crocker for the IBF welterweight world title on 24 June. The bout comes after months of negotiations between promoters and follows a successful purse bid by Australian promotion company No Limit Boxing, which secured the rights to stage the title fight in Queensland.
The Pat Rafter Arena also staged a Paro win over French fighter David Papot last year during the venue’s first major boxing card.
Liam Paro steps up to welterweight after Puerto Rico title win
Paro enters the fight after a major overseas win in 2024. In June that year, the Mackay-born southpaw travelled to Puerto Rico and defeated Subriel Matias to claim the IBF super lightweight world title, handing Matias a loss in front of his home crowd.
Since then, Paro has moved from super lightweight to welterweight and now faces another major test against Crocker, who remains unbeaten in 22 professional fights. Paro viewed the chance to fight for another world title in Australia as an important moment for both his career and local boxing supporters.
If Paro defeats Crocker, he will become the first Australian male boxer since Jeff Fenech to win recognised world titles in two weight divisions.
Lewis Crocker brings unbeaten record into Brisbane title defence
Crocker arrives in Australia carrying both the IBF welterweight belt and an undefeated professional record. Reports describe the Belfast fighter as a dangerous puncher, particularly with his left hand.
Paro has already won a world title overseas, while Crocker is making his first defence as IBF welterweight champion. Crocker will defend the IBF world welterweight title against Paro in Brisbane as part of a major international event for both fighters.
Paro’s side has pointed to his world-title experience, including the win over Matias, as a key part of his case against Crocker.
Pat Rafter Arena lands another major boxing event
The bout gives Pat Rafter Arena another major boxing card after hosting Paro’s win over Papot last year. Better known as a tennis venue, the arena hosted boxing last year and will now stage an IBF world-title bout in Brisbane.
No Limit Boxing won the rights to host the title fight after submitting a purse bid worth more than $1.15 million, narrowly beating Matchroom Boxing.
No Limit boss Matt Rose reportedly described Paro as one of Australia’s leading boxing talents and viewed the event as another opportunity to bring major international fights back to local fans instead of sending Australian fighters overseas.
The event will mark Brisbane’s first world-title boxing contest since Jeff Horn defeated Manny Pacquiao at Suncorp Stadium in 2017, which drew over 51,000 spectators.
Published 13-May-2026
