Liam Paro wins IBF title, may pursue fight with Manny Pacquiao

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BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: Liam Paro celebrates winning the IBF World Welterweight Title bout aganst Lewis Crocker at Pat Rafter Arena on June 24, 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) | Getty Images Liam Paro ended the IBF welterweight title reign of Lewis Crocker today in Australia, winning a competitive unanimous decision. Judges officially scored the fight 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112 for Paro, who is now a two-division world champion. Paro (28-1, 16 KO) got the decision mainly on his volume punching, it seemed, though of course you’d have to personally and specifically ask judges why they scored the way they did, and nobody ever really does that. Crocker (22-1, 11 KO) did do real damage in the fight, which showed up plenty on Paro’s face and in the blood his heavier shots produced. Crocker looked the clearly bigger man both at the weigh-in and in the ring, and while he’s never really been known as some huge power puncher, he looked the much heavier hitter of the two. Paro was able to grind, and being real, he was able to disrupt the proceedings with some strategic holding and “veteran tactics.” Crocker did make note that he felt the holding could have been better officiated, but also gave Paro his credit and called him “a fantastic fighter.” Is Manny Pacquiao next for Paro? Paro now looks forward, and he and his promoter are hoping for big names. They may specifically be casting an eye toward 47-year-old Manny Pacquiao, who fought Mario Barrios to a draw in a WBC title fight last year. Pacquiao could be legitimately attracted to the fight for several reasons. Obviously, Paro has a world title now. Second, that rematch with Floyd Mayweather, tentatively set for September, is looking less likely by the week if not by the day. And third, Pacquiao has some history in Australia, going back to his hugely controversial 2017 loss to Jeff Horn. On the Paro side, Pacquiao’s a legend, obviously, and worth a significant amount more money than anyone else who’s likely going to come to Australia for a fight. That’s not to say that Paro hasn’t proven willing to travel, either.