Boxing
Keys to Victory: Where will Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro be won?
Zayas vs. Ennis: Watch only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
For the first time in his pro career, Lewis Crocker will fight outside of the United Kingdom.
It all takes place Wednesday, when the undefeated Crocker puts his IBF welterweight world championship on the line against Liam Paro ‘Down Under’ at Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, Australia, and live on DAZN in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) delivered a split-decision victory in a rematch with Paddy Donovan last September, knocking the Irish southpaw down twice in the bout. Meanwhile, Paro (27-1, 16 KOs), a former super lightweight world titleholder from Queensland, enters the bout having defeated David Papot on points that same month.
Will ‘The Croc’ record a convincing title defense against a gritty Paro? Or will the hometown hero power his way to becoming a two-division world champion? DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both the champ and challenger.
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Lewis Crocker’s Keys to Victory
Change levels, show Paro different looks
Liam Paro operates with a very active guard and bounce in his step. Lewis Crocker should combat that bustle by changing levels often. He does this within his fighting flow anyway. It’s more a matter of making it count, stabbing to the body and driving Paro’s pressure back.
Uncork the counter left hook
Against a southpaw in Paddy Donovan, Crocker found paydirt twice by unleashing a counter left hook. The key to the shot was its timing, which is one of the champ’s strengths.
Wednesday night has Crocker testing his skills against another southpaw in Paro. If he can properly time the Australian and whip a counter left hook around Paro’s jab, Crocker could find similar big results that propel him to a successful title defense.
Crank the volume up
Crocker cannot afford to be defeated at his opponent’s home of Queensland for a lack of output.
Far too often, Crocker gets mired in downloading information so much that he’s over assessing without letting his hands go enough. To keep his IBF title wrapped around his waist for a trip back to the UK, Crocker must make a concerted effort to crank up the punching volume.
Liam Paro’s Keys to Victory
Pressure behind the jab early
To assert his home advantage and get the crowd wildly backing him during the onset of this fight, Liam Paro must pressure behind the jab.
Paro already does this well, flicking out the stick and stabbing to the body to force opponents on the back foot. This could work against the champion Lewis Crocker as well, as Paro could utilize the jab to build an early lead.
Laser the left hand through the guard
Once Paro has the jab working, he ought to rifle the left hand through the guard. The more convincingly Paro can split Crocker’s guard, the more he could accrue the eye-catching shots needed to sway judges’ scorecards, take and keep a lead.
Keep head off the center line
Watch Paro work and he’s almost incessant with the way he rapidly moves his guard. While doing this, Paro is also changing levels.
However, the former super lightweight world titleholder is guilty of leaving his head on the center line where he could be hit by Crocker’s jab or worse over, the champ’s counter hook. Already bouncy while pressuring in the pocket, Paro must keep his head moving to avoid harm's way.
Eddie Hearn calls tonight a "must-win" for this fighter, makes a prediction
"It's a huge fight in Australia," Eddie Hearn exclusively told DAZN News on Tuesday at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, New York. "It's a must-win against Liam Paro, who of course is a former world champion at 140 pounds."
So, who does the Matchroom Boxing promoter like to have his hand raised by the night's end? His guy, naturally.
"I'm backing our guy — Lewis Crocker by stoppage," Hearn offered. "Brilliant fight. Over the moon that DAZN has picked it up."
Who has the edge in Crocker vs. Paro?
Analysis: DAZN’s Mark Lelinwalla
I do believe Paro’s volume will press Crocker into issues Wednesday in Australia.
However, the champ has the toolkit, especially his timing, to combat that output as long as he shows an uptick in punches. It doesn’t need to be drastic, either.
Crocker’s volume should be significant and efficient enough to score points and bank rounds. I’m slightly leaning to him to do just that in retaining his 147-pound title on points.
Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN
Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis this Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
