Australia’s Liam Paro is the new IBF welterweight champion with a points win over Belfast’s Lewis Crocker at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia on Wednesday.

Paro, who previously held the IBF’s light-welterweight title, becomes the first Australia-born boxer since Jeff Fenech to become a multi-weight world champion, earning a 115-113 nod on all three cards after a gruelling battle.

The 30-year-old produced a display of skill and heart to dethrone Crocker who was making the first defence of the title he won in Belfast last September, improving his record to 28 wins with one defeat.

Crocker, 29, appeared on the brink of a stoppage late in the fight but just couldn’t find the finishing shot with Paro reeling, suffering a first career reverse in his 23rd contest and will now seek to rebuild.

More to follow

More to follow.