IBF welterweight  champion Lewis Crocker has been forced to delay his first title defense through injury issues, postponing his bout against ex-junior welterweight champ Liam Paro. The pair were expected to meet in the latter's native Australia in early April, with the Belfast man making the first defense of belt. Instead, they are now likely to meet in May or June after Crocker sustained a hand ligament injury during training for his trip down under.

 

It marks the second cancellation Paro has faced this year, as Paro was previously set to face Paddy Donovan. The star's promoters No Limit Boxing received a medical certificate from Crocker's Matchroom Boxing team, confirming the nature of the injury.

 

The pair had been expected to fight on the same bill, either in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, as local favourite Tim Tszyu as he plots his own return. The latter is due to face Errol Spence Jr. in an intriguing clash later this year, and is widely thought to be eyeing an imminent tune-up on home soil. The wait goes on for Liam Paro then, as the Australian faces his second aborted bout in the space of four months, much to his irritation.