Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) is viewed as the underdog against former 140-pound champion Paro (27-1, 16 KOs), who will make his second appearance as a fully-fledged welterweight contender after steadily moving up last year.

The home fighter was delighted No Limit won the purse bids to snare an overdue homecoming at championship level as the 30-year-old looks to emulate Hall of Famer Jeff Fenech in becoming a two-division world titleholder. The skilled southpaw, who resides in Brisbane, was understandably bullish during Monday's final press conference.

"When you've got the belt, you hold your chin high and represent ... protect it with everything you've got. The underdog talk [from Crocker] already tells me something. I don't have the belt right now, but got the championship mindset. I've been there, done it and ready to make history. World title fights don't get bigger than this," he said.

Crocker isn't short of domestic names calling him out, including in-form Conah Walker and Paddy Donovan, both former foes he's beaten as the Belfast man dreams of unifications and conquering the world stage against the odds as many deem him the division's weakest beltholder.

"If you ask 99 people here, they're going to say Paro is going to win. Going abroad, the doubts, can I do it? Literally by the odds, he is the favorite. That's where the underdog thing comes from, but that's not the way me and my team see it," Crocker said. He will make his first appearance under new head trainer Huzaifah Iqbal midweek, after ending a successful three-year association with Billy Nelson in Glasgow, Scotland at the start of the year.

"I was a big underdog in my last fight and came through to win the world title. Big respect for Liam — he's a phenomenal fighter — so we're going to put on a great performance."