Danny Green’s warning over world champion Lewis Crocker vs Liam Paro, fight details, preview, latest news

Danny Green had only just arrived in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon when he crossed paths with IBF welterweight champion Lewis Crocker.

You know, that fightin’ Irishman who has been saying precious little to journalists for over a week.

Paro v Crocker | Wednesday June 24 from 7pm AEST | Liam Paro gets his long awaited title shot against IBF welterweight champion, Lewis Crocker plus Nelson Asofa-Solomona vs George Burgess. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

And while also training under a new coach, travelling across the world to defend, and even – as a world champion – carrying the underdog tag with bookies.

Yet in just one meeting, Green stresses, one thing became abundantly clear.

“Lewis Crocker,” he says, “has no doubt this is his f***ing world title”.

Australian boxing history goes on the line in Brisbane this Wednesday night when popular Queenslander Liam Paro goes looking to win gold in a second weight class against Crocker.

Already this week, questions have been asked of the Irishman given he has done little media, dodged a face off, and even had Paro questioning why, as the man holding gold, he would continually, and publicly, refer to himself as underdog.

All of which, Green agreed with … at least until he met the travelling champion face-to-face at the fighter hotel.

“Because there’s a sentiment out there,” Green tells Fox Sports Australia, “that Lewis Crocker is just coming Down Under to compete. That he is [happy] as the underdog.

“But speaking to him myself, mate, I can tell you that definitely isn’t the case.

“And I even asked him about all that. Asked why he hasn’t been expressing his big dog status.

“Because when I was fighting for world titles overseas, I may have been internalising my own thoughts. But externally? I always wanted to give off that whiff of ‘I’m the f***ing big dog here’.

“That’s how I wanted it to feel.

“But Lewis Crocker is just a different cat.

“Still, there’s an inner fierceness about this kid. He has no doubt this is f***ing his world title … and he’s come here to defend that.”

Which is a story we’ve seen before recently, right?

Remembering how Australian poster boy Tim Tszyu was a heavy betting favourite going into world title blockbusters against both Sebastian Fundora and then Bakhram Murtazaliev.

Like Crocker, Murtazaliev also said little in fight week.

Then on fight night, defended gold in brutal fashion.

Asked by Fox Sports Australia after Monday’s press conference if he was being grossly underestimated by bookies, by analysts, by everyone basically, the Belfast fighter who has gone undefeated through all 22 professional appearances agreed.

“That’s the way I see it,” he shrugged. “And as you can see now, a few days out from my fight and I couldn’t be calmer.

“I’m fully focused on the fight. I know people are making a big deal out of me coming here, the bookies and so on, but at the end of the day none of that matters because it’s just me and Liam in that ring on Wednesday.”

But surely your mates will be taking a little of those plus money odds right?

“I’m sure a few of the guys back home will put a wee pound on it,” he grinned. “But again, it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day I’m fully confident in my ability. I’m ready to go.”

Asked why he was being rated as the outsider, as champion, and Crocker pointed to the fact he was being forced to travel into Paro’s backyard after promoters No Limit won the purse bid.

“Coming here plays a part,” he said. “Plus Liam won that world title against Subriel Matias, then fought Richardson Hitchins, so he’s the bigger name, too. I think that also plays into it.”

Regardless, and should Paro win on Wednesday night, he will join an elite list of Australian fighters to have won world titles in more than one weight class – including the likes of Green, Jeff Fenech, Anthony Mundine and Vic Darchinyan.

“And Liam is sure he’s taking it,” Green says. “Yes, he’s a humble guy. He’s quiet, calm, hardworking. But I see a real confidence there.

“As a fighter too, he’s incredibly tenacious.

“He’s skilful, compact, neat, and his fundamentals are fantastic. Liam also has that junkyard [dog] in him, and has a lot of that.”

So as for how Crocker can cause the boilover?

Understanding that while Green, who will be working on the coverage for Main Event Australia, is obviously cheering Paro, he also understands more than a little of how you cause an upset – most notably, against Roy Jones Jnr.

“When Lewis Crocker won the title against Paddy Donovan, I didn’t see a high work rate,” the former world champion says.

“He was sharp shooting. Picking his shots.

“First time he dropped in that second fight, it was a beautiful left check hook. Timed well. You could see they had trained for that shot and they executed sensationally.

“But I don’t think he can take that same approach against Liam Paro.

“Liam is a sharp shooter himself.

“So I believe Crocker will have to press him. In the other fights he has been the more aggressive guy. And when you’re fighting southpaws, you do engage different styles, different techniques.

“So he can’t afford to sharpshoot against Liam Paro.

“Liam is too sharp himself.

“And I know he and Alfie DiCarlo – who is a really great trainer — will have a strong game plan.

“So Crocker will have to press the action. Go out there and press this guy. Go out there and really show Liam Paro this is my world title, you’re not getting it … and now this is why.

“These punches to the face, to the sternum, to the liver, to the neck, to the back of the f***ing ear, they’re why you aren’t getting it. That’s what he has to do.”

Green quickly added, however, that he was backing Paro to go win himself a second world title.

“And I’m just so happy for him,” he says. “Because while I haven’t had anything to do with the guy, just seeing him now looking to achieve greatness in his own backyard, in front of his family and friends – it’s outstanding.

“And credit to No Limit who went out there and won the purse bid. That gives this young the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s awesome.”