Liam Paro fight: Paro to move up to welterweight, turning down super-lightweight world title eliminator
After making the 140-pound (63.5kg) limit for 10 straight years, Code Sports understands the Queenslander is now struggling to make the weight class and will move up a division.
Paro is ranked fifth at super-lightweight with The Ring, and is in the top five with the WBO, IBF and WBC.
The move to 147 pounds (66.7kg) means he won't join Kostya Tszyu in becoming a two-time super-lightweight world champion, but opens up the possibility of big-money bouts against the likes of Rolando 'Rolly' Romero, Brian Norman Jr and Ryan Garcia.
Liam Paro destroyed Johnathan Navarro. Picture: No Limit Boxing
The other big names in the mix are WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios, who held onto his title with a draw against the great Manny Pacquiao in the headline fight of Tim Tszyu's loss to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
Paro has even spoken about one day facing modern day great Pacquiao at some stage, telling Fox Sports, 'I'd love that fight.
'Manny, he's one of my favourite fighters. And to have his name on my resume would be something special.'
The move up to one of boxing's glamour divisions is in line with turning 'The Prodigy' into Australia's next PPV boxing star, alongside Tim and Nikita Tszyu.
A Cowboys diehard, there have even been preliminary talks of having Paro fight in Las Vegas on the same weekend that North Queensland play Newcastle in the 2026 season opener in Sin City.
Mario Barrios (L) and Manny Pacquiao (R) fought to a draw in their WBC welterweight world title fight in Las Vegas. Picture:Paro most recently scored a thunderous fifth round stoppage win over Johnathan Navarro in his Australian homecoming in Cairns in June.
That bout was his first on home soil since his first round knockout of Brock Jarvis in Brisbane in 2022.
Since then, the 29-year-old knocked out the highly touted Montana Love before scoring one of the biggest boilovers of 2024 with a unanimous decision world title win over Subriel Matias.
He relinquished the IBF world title in a split decision defeat to slick American Richardson Hitchens in December before his Far North Queensland homecoming in June.
Paro had been linked to super-lightweight bouts with Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz, Romero and Delgado, but his team is understood to see more of a future at welterweight.
Paro has been loosely pencilled in to fight again in September.
Brendan Bradford
Content producer
Brendan Bradford is a sports writer for CODE Sports. He primarily covers combat sports, league, union, cycling and athletics. Brendan has worked in sports media for a decade, covering world title fights, World Cups, Grand Slams and Spring Tours.
@1bbradfo
Brendan Bradford
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
World Aquatics Championships: Cameron McEvoy wins gold in 50m freestyle final
Death. Taxes. Cam and Kaylee. Some things in life you can take to the bank and when it comes to Australian swimmers stepping up on the international stage and delivering epic performances, Cameron McEvoy and Kaylee McKeown are as dependable as the sun rising tomorrow morning. In a replica of their fantastic August night at the Paris Olympics 12 months ago, McEvoy stormed to the 50m freestyle gold medal at the world titles in Singapore and not long after McKeown charged home to win the 200m backstroke gold medal. You've just got to admire the steely resolve and excellence this duo show time after time, defending their 2023 world titles and showing that despite massive life changes after Paris their commitment to superhuman performance remains resolute. For McEvoy he has welcomed his first child, a son Hartley, just 23 days ago with wife Madeline. For McKeown she has suffered the broken heart of an ended relationship, had her coach Michael Bohl depart for China and moved back home to the comfort of family on the Sunshine Coast to push her career towards a potential Olympic three-peat in Los Angeles. At this rate, McKeown just might become Australia's greatest ever Olympian. Already she is the first Australian to do the double-double, winning both the 100m and 200m backstroke in Tokyo and Paris. A three-peat beckons in Los Angeles in 2028. And now she's done a world title double-double, winning the 100-200 in both Fukuoka and Singapore. Her victory on Saturday night was classic Kaylee. Out strong and then destroy them on the final 50m to win in a championship record time of 2:03.33. McKeown said she was thrilled with her time, especially after her recent shoulder issue and the gastro illness that has hit the Australian swim team. 'I wasn't feeling too great heading in, a bit of illness and stuff going around, dealing with a bit of a shoulder,' she said. 'I had to put my best foot forward tonight, I dug really deep, and I'm really happy with the time that I posted. 'Something I've been really working on is focusing on my own race. I think it really helped me on the outside lane (six), not seeing the other girls around me, and just really focusing on what I've been working on. I don't see a whole lot when I'm racing. I had to ask for my time at the end.' Yet again US backstroker Regan Smith had to settle for silver in 2:04.29, no doubt cursing the fact she is confronting one of the greatest racers the world of swimming has ever seen. Father time and fatherhood, it seems, will not stop McEvoy. The 31-year-old Olympic champion again destroyed a field containing the fastest men on water, obliterating them off the blocks and holding strong to claim his second world title. The 50m freestyle specialist had an incredible 0.56s reaction time off the blocks and emerged ahead from the outset to race down and win in 21.14 seconds. In the process he became Australia's oldest ever swimmer to win a world championship gold medal, eclipsing former backstroke and butterfly champion Matt Welsh in 2007. It is the third year in a row McEvoy has been the toast of world swimming and the fastest man in the pool, with Great Britain's Ben Proud (21.26s) completing another veteran quinella just as the two elder statesmen did at the Paris Olympics last year. For McEvoy this victory is especially sweet given the major life changes back home with the Queenslander marrying his sweetheart Madeline after the Olympics and the pair welcoming their first child, son Hartley, just 23 days ago. 'It is pretty nice, a little bit different now compared to last year, I didn't have a son last year,' McEvoy said. 'Life has changed pretty dramatically, as it does with a newborn. 'I have to shout out Maddie, I couldn't be here without her … shout out little Hartley too. 'It's a very different life now, I've got to navigate it. I will figure it out.' US sprinter Jack Alexy completed the podium, touching third in 21.46s.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
Vision emerges of sacked NRL reporter's alleged crash
Footage has emerged of former Fox Sports reporter James Hooper's alleged drunken accident in Sydney. The prominent NRL reporter has been sacked by Fox Sports and subsequently stood himself down from his role with Triple M after being charged with high-range drinking offences. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. Now Channel 9 has obtained footage of the crash, which took place in Leichhardt on Thursday night and allegedly involved a number of other vehicles and Hooper's ute. Paul Green, who lives right by the accident site, is heard on the footage and told the network what he had witnessed. 'He just tried to get out of there straight away,' Green alleged. 'Put the car in reverse to try to reverse off the car he was collected on and he couldn't get off. 'So he was not really coherent. He headed up the street, unfortunately for him he headed up the wrong way. 'We lost sight of him in the dark but then he turned around and that's when the police caught up to him at the roundabout down the bottom of the hill.' Hooper is alleged to have collided with three parked cars and returned a positive breath test of 0.253, more than five times the legal limit. Hooper was the chief rugby league reporter for Fox Sports, along with roles as a columnist for Fox Sports and a sideline reporter with Triple M. Southern Cross Austereo (SCA), which owns and operates Triple M, confirmed to Hooper has opted to cut ties with the network. 'Triple M acknowledges the decision of James Hooper to stand down from his commitments with the network,' SCA Head of Sports Content Ewan Giles said. 'We thank him for his contribution.' A statement from NSW Police read: 'At 7.30pm on Thursday, police were called to Allen Street, Leichhardt following reports of a crash. 'Officers attached to Leichhardt Highway Patrol attended to find a utility had collided with three parked cars before coming to a stop.' He has been charged with high-range drink-driving and three counts of damaged property and will appear in court on September 15. The decision from Fox Sports was effective immediately, with Hooper's final appearance on NRL 360 occurring on Wednesday night this week. Fox Sports' managing director Steve Crawley confirmed the news in a statement. 'James has been a great contributor since he joined us in 2016, but he's also battled some significant personal issues from time to time,' Crawley said. 'In speaking to him today, James also acknowledges that things need to change for him.' Hooper was approached by The Daily Telegraph for comment, stating: 'I've let the game of rugby league, my employers, my wife and kids down terribly. 'Clearly I'm not handling the tough side of the job. 'Hopefully this is the punch between the eyes that will set me straight.'
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
NRL storm erupts as Panthers trainer caught in ‘disgraceful' act
Panthers trainer Corey Bocking has been slammed for a 'disgraceful' act in Penrith's golden point win over the Titans on Saturday afternoon. Bocking went to extreme measures to put off Titans goalkicker Jayden Campbell as he lined up for a crucial kick with just 5 minutes to go, with the Gold Coast leading 26-24. His effort to extend the lead to four was halted by Bocking, who ran directly in front of his conversion attempt, which left commentators and fans stunned. 'Oh, the trainer has just run straight in front of Jayden Campbell,' Michael Ennis said. While Andrew Voss added, 'That is disgraceful, that is absolutely disgraceful'. 'You can't make that mistake, unbelievable. Come on. Have you ever seen that? Have you ever seen that?' Voss said. 'I think he gets a second shot … that is high controversy, I don't know what action you take. That's just beyond the pale … boy, oh boy. What a moment.' Crucially, in the context of the final scoreline, Campbell missed the conversion attempt, throwing the tee in disgust. The trainer apologised, but was seen with a cheeky smirk as he ran away. After Campbell missed the conversion, Ennis delivered a line that will stick with Titans fans. 'It brings a Nathan Cleary two-point field goal right into play,' he said. And he was right, as just moments later Penrith star Nathan Cleary was able to land a huge two-point field goal to level the scoreline 26-26 and send the match to golden point. From there, a Blaize Talagi try broke the hearts of the Titans in overtime. 'They are going to win it, they have done it … Titans players strewn everywhere. Their hearts crushed,' Voss said. 'Not a field goal, not a penalty goal, but an amazing 60 metre try to win the game.' In the end, Bocking's actions proved crucial, and it left fans calling for Penrith to be sanctioned. 'If the NRL cares about the integrity of the game, they'll dock the Panthers two points for the actions of their trainer. It's just blatant cheating, poor sportsmanship and downright disgraceful,' one fan wrote on X. 'Blatant cheating. That's not on, and the NRL must draw a line in the sand now,' another added. 'The Titans have been absolutely duded … The Panthers' trainers are continuously bringing the game into disrepute,' a third wrote. It's not the first time a Panthers trainer has come under fire this year, with the NRL issuing a breach notice to one staff member earlier this season for squirting water on a ball before a kick-off.
