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IBF Orders Crocker to Face Paro in Mandatory Title Defence

The directors rejected Matchroom’s bid for an April voluntary bout, setting negotiations with Paro under a March 13 mandatory deadline.

Overview

  • IBF president Daryl Peoples notified Matchroom’s Shaun Palmer that the board voted to deny Lewis Crocker’s request for an exception.
  • Matchroom proposed Belfast dates of April 18 or 25 for a Conah Walker rematch, which were 36 to 43 days beyond the champion’s due date.
  • No Limit Boxing’s Matt Rose filed an objection on January 7 after Paddy Donovan withdrew from an eliminator with Liam Paro due to illness, elevating Paro to mandatory status.
  • The sanctioning body ordered Crocker to begin talks with Paro for his first title defence since beating Donovan for the vacant belt last year.
  • Paro’s credentials include a 2024 upset of Subriel Matias at 140 pounds and a move to welterweight capped by a win over David Papot.