No Limit CEO George Rose pips Eddie Hearn by $27k in historic 4am Zoom call for Liam Paro vs Lewis Crocker rights

In boxing, a purse bid is used when promoters are unable to agree on the rights to a mandatory title fight. So in a case like that, usually the governing body of the particular sport (in this case, it's IBF) steps in and lets the promoters bid for the event.

On 3rd February 2026, Australian boxing made a historic moment after a single decision taken on a 4am call, which changed the course of a world title fight dramatically. It's about the IBF Welterweight World Title Fight, which is likely to be held in late March or April 2026.The Australian boxing sensation Liam Paro is all set to take the IBF welterweight title in his homeland. In a remarkable moment of world boxing, George Rose of Matchroom Boxing thinly outbid Eddie Hearn and secured the right to the IBF welterweight world title fight between Lewis Crocker and Liam Paro.

How George Rose beat Eddie Hearn in the dramatic bid

George Rose, the Australian boxing promoter and the head of No Limit Boxing, has pulled one of the finest bids in the history of boxing. It was held to decide whether to secure the rights to promote the IBF-ordered fight between Liam Paro and Lewis Crocker. The zoom call for the bid started at 4am. Due to the timezone difference, both promoters have placed their bids, which were confidential for both of them.

Finally, the time arrived to open the bid, and with a very small margin of $27,000, Eddie lost the bid.

Whereas Eddie’s Matchroom Boxing has bid 1.125 million USD, George Rose on the other hand, bid 1.152 million USD. Eddie Hearn is an influential and one of the most powerful promoters in world boxing. However, the way No Limit Boxing took over Eddie’s Matchroom in the purse bid proves that now George Rose’s No Limit is also able to compete at a higher level.

This also shifts No Limit Boxing’s status from a domestic promoter to an international promoter.

The impact of the bid on Liam Paro and Lewis Crocker

Liam Paro is a former world champion and one of the most important fighters from Australia. And now that George Rose has won the bid, the event must be held in Australia, so it's a beneficial situation for Paro as he will be competing in his home ground before his fans. Over the years, Paro has travelled the world to compete in major events, and now that it's in his homeland, Australia, it could be a breakthrough moment for his career.

On the other hand, the situation would be different for Lewis Crocker, who is from Northern Ireland and is known for his arrogant fighting style; he gets his main support from the UK fanbase.Before the bid took place, it was expected that if Matchroom got the right, the event would take place in Britain, but now that the possibilities have changed totally, Lewis will have to fly all the way from his place to Australia. But because of the need for a lot of time, Lewis is trying to keep pace with his practice for the big event, and he is also confident about winning it.