Paro speechless after taking IBF welterweight title from Crocker

Liam Paro won the IBF welterweight championship with a points victory over Lewis Crocker in Australia. The win ended Crocker's unbeaten record and crowned Paro the new champion at 147 pounds.

“I'm speechless. I had to dig in. Lewis Crocker is a great champion and I respect him. He's a true champion. Lewis Crocker I respect you for life”

— Liam Paro, via Sky Sports

What Liam Paro said

Paro was moving up from lightweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light welterweight to challenge for the IBF welterweight title. Crocker entered the bout undefeated and holding the championship. The fight went the distance, with Paro earning the decision on the judges' scorecards.

What it moves

Paro paid tribute to his opponent immediately after the final bell, speaking to Sky Sports. "I'm speechless. I had to dig in. Lewis Crocker is a great champion and I respect him. He's a true champion. Lewis Crocker I respect you for life," Paro said. The new champion now holds the IBF welterweight belt and will await his first mandatory challenger.

Source: skysports.com. Full Liam Paro fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.