Lewis Crocker lost his world title and his unbeaten record as he succumbed to Liam Paro in Australia.
Paro took a unanimous-decision victory over Crocker to win the IBF welterweight championship, beating the Belfast man 115-113 on all three cards.
“I’m speechless. I had to dig in. Lewis Crocker is a great champion and I respect him. He’s a true champion. Lewis Crocker I respect you for life,” Paro told DAZN.
“It’s been a long road. A long, hard road. I had so many people telling me I couldn’t, what now?”
Crocker won the title when he beat Paddy Donovan in their September rematch in Belfast but has lost the belt in his first defence of the championship.
“I just want to congratulate Liam on a fantastic fight. You’re a true champion and I respect you,” Crocker told DAZN.
“It was a great fight, respect to Liam. It was a very close fight. I think a bit more could have been done about the holding but congratulations to Liam, he’s a fantastic fighter.”
Heavyweight contender Demsey McKean continued to rebuild. Halting Liam Taliva in four rounds saw him pick up his third consecutive stoppage win since losing to Moses Itauma in a round.
Watch Aaron McKenna vs Etinosa Oliha on August 8 live on Sky Sports.
