Lewis Crocker had been hoping to have an optional defence first
Lewis Crocker has been ordered by the IBF to defend his welterweight world title against Australian Liam Paro after a proposal by the champion’s promoter to have an optional defence was rejected.
It is understood that Matchroom Boxing were exploring the possibility of Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) facing Conah Walker, who he defeated by unanimous decision in June 2024, in a rematch in Belfast this April.
However, the IBF have rejected their proposal for an optional defence and have stated Crocker must defend the belt against Paro (27-1, 16 KOs).
The Brisbane native was due to face Paddy Donovan in an IBF eliminator this month in his home city, but the Limerick man withdrew from the fight due to a bout of flu, with the sanctioning body making Paro the mandatory challenger for Crocker’s belt as a result.
As first reported by Fight Freaks Unite’s Dan Rafael, IBF President Daryl Peoples confirmed the decision in a letter to Matchroom’s Shaun Palmer.
On January 2, 2026, IBF received a letter from [Matchroom] on behalf of Champion Lewis Crocker to participate in an optional defense … on April 18 or April 25 in Belfast,” the letter reads. “The proposed April dates are thirty-six (36) and forty-three (43) days, respectively, past the champion’s March 13 mandatory due date.”
It continues: “On January 7, 2026, the IBF received a letter from [No Limit Boxing’s] Matt Rose on behalf of Liam Paro opposing the granting of the exception. [Also on] January 7, the IBF Directors participated in a video conference to determine whether Mr. Crocker’s exception request should be granted or denied. … [T]he majority of the directors determined that Lewis Crocker’s exception should be denied.”
