NAS vs Burgess RECAP: Paro creates history with iconic world title triumph

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History-making night for Liam Paro, becoming the new IBF welterweight world champion, while it was another stoppage win for Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Liam Paro wants to see the big fights come to his own backyard after ‘earning a seat at the table’ in a stacked welterweight division.

“Australia deserves the big fights and securing this, we’re gonna bring all the big fights here - f--k travelling, bring them all Down Under,” he said.

“I’ve gotta let this eye heal up, go back to the drawing board and keep ticking over and getting better and working on everything.

“The welterweight division is the glamour division, it’s stacked and I just earned my seat at the table with this chip - let’s go, I want it all.

“Life is about testing yourself and I want everyone.

“We’ve got the belt here so we’ve got the pulling power now. We always cross the pond, it’s time to come Down Under and fight here - the fans deserve it.”

“I had to dig deep, Lewis Crocker is a hell of a champion - he held himself like a champion, no bullshit - I respect him for life,” Paro said.

Crocker then paid tribute to the Aussie and his team for the victory.

“I just want to congratulate Liam on a classic fight, you’re a true champion and I respect you - congratulations,” the tough Northern Irishman said.

LIAM PARO IS THE NEW IBF WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!

The judges score it 115-113 in favour of the Australian.

An amazing moment for Paro, who is overcome with emotion as he etches his name into the history books alongside Jeff Fenech.

“This means everything, it’s a long hard road - I climbed the mountain once and I did it again ... man, I’m speechless,” he said.

“It’s been a long f-----g road. I had so many people telling me I couldn’t.”

Paro becomes the second male Aussie boxer to capture world titles in two different weight classes after Fenech in the 1980s.

Paro and Crocker go the full 12-round distance in the main event.

“He is made of something else the Australian ... absolute brutality, a bloody mess,” Ben Damon said on commentary.

The challenger is absolutely pouring blood by the end of the fight.

“Showing his warrior spirit Paro ... that was an amazing performance from both men, but I think Paro won the fight,” Danny Green said on commentary.

We’re over to the judges now for a decision.

“It could be an iconic moment,” Damon said.

Crocker lands a shot to the back of Paro’s head and the crowd is fuming.

The referee calls a timeout and lets the Aussie get over to his corner.

The champ lets his hands fly late in the 11th round of the world title fight.

One round to go and Paro needs to dig deep here.

Paro is staying far busier against his much bigger opponent in Crocker, who is clearly looking for a knockout shot to finish it.

“He is searching for home runs - the activity is all the Australian, but Crocker thinks he can get rid of him,” Ben Damon said on commentary.

Danny Green believes the challenger is “out-boxing” the Northern Irishman.

Two rounds to go in the main event.

Paro lands a nice combination off the ropes early in the eighth round.

“He’s boxing beautifully,” Danny Green said on commentary.

Crocker has some really nice moments through the round that back Paro up against the ropes, but the Aussie fires back with a big left hand late.

Four rounds left in this IBF world title fight and there’s plenty of swelling around Paro’s right eye, but he is hanging in there with Crocker.

Some strong moments for Crocker in the fifth round to regain some control.

“How much do we f-----g want this world title? He’s got nothing,” one of Paro’s corner members tells him in between rounds.

The champ looks fresh coming out for the sixth round.

“Ominous signs,” Danny Green said on commentary.

We’re half-way through the world title fight and Crocker is back on top.

We’re a third of the way into this fight and both men are emptying the gas tank.

Crocker is stalking the Aussie challenger, but Paro is right up to the task.

The hometown hero scores with a left-hand at the end of the fourth round.

Danny Green believes that Paro is on top so far.