No-Limits: Paro Stuns Crocker To Claim IBF Welterweight Crown, McKean Dominates Talivaa In Co-Feature!

By: Rick Rivers

June 24, Pat Rafter Arena, Tennyson, Queensland, Australia: In the main event of a Rose Brothers–No Limit Boxing card streamed live on DAZN, Brisbane, Queensland southpaw, Liam Paro delivered a gutsy and skillful performance to defeat Belfast, Northern Ireland’s, previously unbeaten IBF Welterweight Champion, Lewis “The Croc” Crocker and capture the world title.

Paro entered the fight looking to regain world champion status after suffering the only loss of his career against Richardson Hitchins in December 2024. Crocker came in unbeaten and confident after winning the IBF crown following his hard-fought battles with Paddy Donovan.

From the opening bell, Paro controlled much of the action with his sharp jab, fast combinations, slick footwork, and effective southpaw angles. His speed and movement allowed him to win many of the early rounds as Crocker struggled to close the distance.

Crocker remained dangerous throughout, using his size advantage and strong body attack to gradually increase the pressure. In the middle rounds, the champion found success with heavier punches and worked hard to slow Paro down.

The fight became dramatic in the later rounds when Paro suffered a bad cut above his left eye. With blood streaming down his face, he faced a determined rally from Crocker, who landed several hard right hands and threatened to turn the fight around. Despite the injury and mounting fatigue, Paro showed tremendous determination, continuing to fire back with combinations and smart movement.

Both fighters exchanged heavy shots in an action-packed final round. Crocker felt Paro should have been penalized for low blows and leading with his head, but Paro's strong early work and higher punch output proved enough to secure the victory.

All three judges scored the bout 115-113 for Paro, making him the new IBF Welterweight Champion. The win improved his record to 28-1,16KO’s and made him one of the few Australian-born fighters, alongside Jeff Fenech, to win major world titles in two weight divisions. Crocker, who fought bravely until the final bell, suffered the first defeat of his career and fell to 22-1, 11Ko’s.

In the co-feature, a battle of southpaws, Gold Coast, Queensland, former world-rated heavyweight, Demsey “The Tower” McKean claimed the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Heavyweight title with a fourth-round TKO stoppage of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia’s, Liam “Gods Son” Talivaa.

McKean, standing 6’6”, came in looking to rebuild momentum after recent setbacks. Talivaa started fast and aggressively, pressuring forward from the opening bell with looping overhands and sharp uppercuts that tested McKean early.

The early rounds saw Talivaa having some success with his pressure, but McKean gradually took control. Using his height, reach, and jab, he kept Talivaa at range and began landing cleaner straight left hands.

By round four, McKean’s accuracy and power began to break his opponent down. A heavy left hand rocked Talivaa, and McKean followed up with a strong flurry. With Talivaa no longer defending himself properly, the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

The win moves McKean to 25-2, 17KO’s and earns him regional title honors, re-establishing him in the heavyweight rankings picture. Talivaa drops to 8-3, 4Ko’s after a brave but unsuccessful effort.

Wynnum, Queensland undefeated prospect Luke Modini claimed the vacant IBF Pan Pacific Cruiserweight title with a dominant performance to stop Shanghai, China veteran, Peng Qu in three rounds.

Modini started controlled and patient, focusing on breaking Qu down rather than rushing for a quick knockout. He targeted the body with sharp left hands and hooks, steadily reducing Qu’s stamina. As the fight went on, Modini’s southpaw movement, speed, and accuracy made a clear difference. Qu struggled to mount any consistent offense and was gradually overwhelmed. By the end of round three, Qu’s corner decided he was taking too much punishment and stopped the scheduled ten round bout, awarding Modini a clear and impressive victory. The 28-year-old, Modini improves to 14-0, 12Ko’s as the 36 years old, Qu unbeaten in his previous five falls to 17-3-1, 12Ko’s.

In a five round featherweight bout, Brisbane, Queensland, rising super featherweight prospect, Vegas Larfield scored a strong fourth round stoppage of Central Coast, New South Wales, more experienced, Shamal Ram Anuj.

The opening rounds tactical and slow with Larfield showing veteran patience and discipline taking time to read Anuj’s awkward southpaw stance and movement.

Entering the middle rounds, Larfield began adjusted effectively taking control scoring with well-timed clean shots.

The feisty Fijian veteran Anuj answered with sharp counters at times appearing to frustrate the hometown favorite but going "Lethal," Larfield, stayed composed steadily increasing his punch output, landing cleaner, more consistent shots

Finding his rhythm in round four, Larfield stepped it up methodically breaking down Anuj forcing referee Paul Tapley to step in and call it at 2:42 of round four. Larfield improves to 14-1, 10Ko’s while Anuj on a four-bout skid falls to 11-9, 8Ko’s.

In a five round super middleweight contest, Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia, 25-year-old, Riley Candy made a strong statement with the quickest stoppage of the night overwhelming and dropping Townsville, Queensland, “tough-guy,” Brayden “Milo” Rawlins, three times in round one.

Candy, used sharp, accurate punching and steady pressure to keep Rawlins on the defensive. Rawlins, showed toughness and tried to push forward, but he was quickly met with clean heavy shots.

Rawlins dropped the first time with a sharp combination beat the count and tried to continue but was visibly shaken was returned to the canvas with another sustained flurry. Rawlins making it back to his feet, allowed to continue struggling to stay competitive would hit the deck a third time prompting referee Phil Austin to call the bout at 2:40 of round one. Candy three stoppage victory’s form his sole defeat a March 2025 first round TKO loss to Max Reeves moves to 9-1, 6Ko’s. Rawlins stopped in consecutive bouts falls to 1-3.

In four round heavyweight action, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6’7”, former NRL stars Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Noosa, Australia’s, 6’4”, George Burgess produced an entertaining heavyweight bout that started competitively but ended in a stoppage in round three.

Burgess, making his professional boxing debut, had early success and landed several clean shots in the opening round, briefly troubling the favored Asofa-Solomona.

From round two onward, Asofa-Solomona’s size, reach, and power began to take control. He used a strong jab and landed a heavy right hand that caused damage, including a cut over Burgess’ eye.

In the third round, Asofa-Solomona pinned Burgess on the ropes and unloaded sustained pressure. With Burgess taking heavy shots and unable to reply effectively, his corner stopped the fight. Asofa-Solomona continuing his transition from rugby league to boxing stays perfect at 3-0, 3Ko’s as Burgess off to a rough start, heads back to the gym 0-1.

In a four-round pairing of Brisbane, heavyweights, Stevan Ivic stayed unbeaten with a controlled third-round stoppage of fellow Queenslander Caleb Tialu.

The fight was competitive early, but Ivic gradually took over with steady pressure and working the body. His higher work rate and physical strength began to wear Tialu down through the first two rounds, by round three, Tialu noticeably slowing succumb to Ivic’s mixed head and body shots forcing referee Paul Tapley step in and stop the contest at 2:31 of round three. Ivic moves to 9-0-1, 3Ko’s while Tialu 1-3 in his last four bouts drops to 3-8, 3Ko’s.

In a four-round super welterweight preliminary bout, Casuarina, New South Wales prospect, Jack Javed delivered an impressive performance, stopping Brisbane’s, Lance “G-Banger” McDonald in three rounds.

The 20-year-old Javed showed strong composure and control throughout the fight. His solid ring awareness, smart punch selection, and well-timed offense kept McDonald uncomfortable and unable to establish any rhythm.

Javed gradually increased the pressure, steadily taking control and landing clean, effective shots. McDonald was forced to clinch repeatedly, resulting in a referee point deduction for holding. Sensing the finish, Javed returned to work and unleashed a clean, heavy volley of punches, prompting referee Phil Austin to step in and wave it off at 0:46 of round three. Javed moves to 2-0, 1Ko while McDonald extending his losing streak to five, drops to 1-6-1, 1Ko.