Original plans were for a late March or early April date, before Lewis Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) sustained hand ligament damage in training requiring rehab and a period of rest.

Now fully rested, recovered and back in the swing of training properly once more, the Belfast puncher has just over six weeks until fight night at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena for his first IBF welterweight title defense under new trainer Huzaifah Iqbal.

That it'll be his first trip abroad adds to the intrigue, given the 29-year-old remains relatively green at world level besides his two-fight Paddy Donovan series and Conah Walker, a narrow 10-round points win in June 2024 that has already aged nicely two years on.

Walker (18-3-1, 9 KOs) has been steadfast in his pursuit of a rematch for world honors, while Donovan (14-2, 11 KOs) faces Karen Chukhadzhian (26-3, 14 KOs) later this week hoping to snare another title shot should he win their IBF final eliminator in Germany.

WBO beltholder Devin Haney, former 135-pound champion Keyshawn Davis and other stateside names have all voiced their interest in facing Crocker abroad, so the importance of this fight cannot be understated.

"It's great to be back and defending my world title for the first time. I'm looking forward to going to Australia, making a huge statement Down Under, beating a former world champion in his own backyard. It will be another step in putting my name in the history books," Crocker said after the fight announcement was made official.

The same goes for Liam Paro, mind. Australian boxing is enjoying a promising period at present, complete with Matchroom's increased involvement in the space while No Limit lead the way and Tasman Fighters boast a steady stream of prospects across several weight divisions.

No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose is excited given the stakes involved after winning the purse bid.

"This isn't smoke and mirrors, isn't a manufactured fight. These are two legitimate world level fighters risking everything. We won the purse bid because we believed this fight belonged in Australia and now Brisbane gets a world title event that will absolutely deliver," he stressed in a press release shared Tuesday.

Paro (27-1, 16 KOs), a former IBF junior welterweight champion, spoke effusively about what it meant to secure a world title shot on home soil, after upsetting then-beltholder Subriel Matias within his native Puerto Rico with a decision victory in June 2024.

Even though he would lose it six months later against Richardson Hitchins, the Mackay southpaw — who resides in Brisbane — retained drawing power and looks rejuvenated at welterweight after almost a decade campaigning in the 140-pound division. He'll return to the scene of his hard-fought points win over David Papot last September.

"I'm ready to make Australian boxing history, it's the kind of moment you dream about as a kid," Paro said in a press release.

"To fight for another world title at home in Australia is massive, but there's no easy road here. Crocker is undefeated and champion for a reason, coming in full of confidence, but I've built my career the hard way.

"I've traveled the world, fought in hostile environments and already beaten one of boxing's most dangerous champions. I truly believe I'm levels above anyone he has faced and can't wait to make history on June 24 in Brisbane."