Australia’s Liam Paro has reportedly had his highly anticipated world title showdown with Lewis Crocker postponed after the reigning champion suffered a hand injury in training.
Crocker, the IBF welterweight title holder, was set to travel Down Under to defend his belt against Paro in what loomed as one of the biggest fights on the local calendar this year.
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Although no official date had been announced, the fight was understood to be targeted for early April.
Now, a hand injury to the unbeaten Belfast fighter will push the bout back until May or June.
No Limit Boxing declined to comment on Wednesday, but reports from Code Sports indicate the Paro camp are furious, fearing Crocker could be faking the injury to buy himself more time.
Matchroom Boxing, led by Eddie Hearn, has provided No Limit with a medical certificate confirming that Crocker’s injury is genuine.
It’s another frustrating twist for Paro, who had previously been slated to face Irishman Paddy Donovan in a title eliminator on the Nikita Tszyu vs Michael Zerafa card before Donovan withdrew through illness.
“This is everything I’ve wanted,” Paro said about the showdown with Crocker.
“I never got the chance as a world champion to defend a title on home soil, so to now fight for another world title in Australia is something special.
“I’ve already proven I can win a world title anywhere. Now it’s time to make history at home, follow in the footsteps of a legend like Jeff Fenech, and become a two-time world champion.
“No Limit Boxing went to work and delivered this. They backed me, they believed in me, and now we get to do this in front of Australian fans.”
‘Croc’ had also spoken of his desire to make the trip and spoil the party.
“I won my world title in Belfast,” Crocker told Talk Sport.
“I had my moment, so I will travel anywhere…
“But going to Australia and beating the ex-champion in his home country will be special.”
Hearn backed his fighter’s chances when talking to Fox Sports Australia last week.
“Crocker is a huge puncher,” Hearn said.
“I think Liam, at 147, that’s a real challenge for him.
“I mean, you saw in his last fight against David Papot, who is not really a world class fighter, you know, he (Paro) got marked up.
“And, you know, Papot is not a puncher, either.
“Lewis Crocker is a huge puncher.
“But in terms of (being worried about) the travel, not really. He’s got a professional team. We know the game inside out.
“We’ll make sure he gets there nice and early. We’ll make sure he’s got all the best facilities there he needs.
“It’s always a little bit different on away soil, but sometimes it can kind of make the performance a bit more spiteful and just give you that little kick up the backside that you need to do a little bit more.
“It’s a big puncher against a very good boxer in Liam Paro.”
Interestingly, after news of the postponement broke online, highly touted British fighter Conah Walker threw his hat in the ring, declaring he would be willing to step in and fight Paro on Australian soil.
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Posting on X, Walker wrote: “I will come to Australia and fight you @ParoLiam. You say when and I’ll be on the plane.”
Former world champion Tony Bellew backed the call-out, replying: “This is a good fight and one that Conah is more than deserving of.”