Liam Paro’s welterweight debut turned into a bloody nightmare, yet somehow the Queenslander dragged himself through 12 savage rounds to beat France’s David Papot in Brisbane. Eye swollen shut, blood dripping from his nose, mocked by an opponent who refused to fade – Paro still found a way. Judges had it 117-111, 116-112, 116-112.
The Pat Rafter Arena headliner had the feel of a throwback war. Papot fought like a man who’d never seen the odds. So tense was the finish that Paro literally crossed himself before the final round. It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t smooth, but it was a statement win – the type that leaves scars and future title shots in equal measure.
‘Can barely see’ – Paro’s brutal honesty after the fight
“Where’s the camera?” Paro laughed, half blinded, keen to see what was left of his right eye. “I can barely see. Look, she’s a pearler. I’ll be wearing some sunnies.”
Asked how he toughed it out, he didn’t bother with clichés: “Same old s***. Keep ticking over, win the fing rounds. He was crafty. The guy isn’t undefeated for no reason. Everyone can fing fight at this level.”
This wasn’t hype talk. Paro looked like he’d been through a car crash, but he kept control when it mattered. He opened Papot’s brow earlier with a sharp left, and though Papot’s mocking head shakes screamed defiance, they didn’t sway the scorecards.
Crocker, Hearn, and a messy welterweight road ahead
Now it gets interesting. Paro’s victory puts him in line for new IBF champ Lewis Crocker, fresh off a controversial split decision win over Paddy Donovan. Crocker’s with Eddie Hearn, Paro just walked away from Hearn’s Matchroom for No Limit. Bad blood? Trainer Alfie Di Carlo insists not: “Things didn’t end on bad terms with Eddie. It was just business.”
Business or not, Paro’s in a stacked welterweight scene: Devin Haney, Rolly Romero, Mario Barrios, Ryan Garcia, even Manny Pacquiao sniffing around for a payday. Paro’s earned a ticket to the table, but whether he gets served the main dish or left circling depends on Hearn, Crocker, and who brings the cash.
Paro showed guts, no doubt, but his eye looked mangled and Papot – not exactly a KO artist – still had him in trouble. That doesn’t scream “ready for Haney or Garcia.” Against Crocker? Different story. The Irish lad can punch, and if Papot shut Paro’s eye, what happens when Crocker lands flush?
But respect where it’s due. Paro could’ve folded, could’ve played it safe, but he stayed composed and banked rounds like a pro. Aussie boxing needs that. He’s not flashy, not viral, just a lad willing to fight half blind and still win.
- Liam Paro def. David Papot via UD12 (welterweight)
- Liam Wilson def. Jorge Santana via KO4 (super featherweight)
- Jacob Ng def. Rikki Naito via TKO1 (super welterweight)
- Dharringarra Trewhella def. Lachlan O’Shea via TKO5 (super welterweight)
- Floyd Masson def. Johan Linde via UD6 (60-54 x3) (heavyweight)
- Ken Aitken def. Sonny Knight via SD5 (49-46, 48-47, 47-48) (super welterweight)