‘I want Pacquiao’: Aussie’s plan to brush Kambosos for huge title bout as home return revealed

Australia’s Liam Paro has unveiled his plans to bypass George Kambosos and instead bring a WBO super lightweight blockbuster Down Under this year – while also discussing a potential showdown with megastar Manny Pacquiao.

The latest fighter to join No Limit’s expanding stable, Paro will make his hyped company debut against exciting US prospect Jonathan ‘Thunder’ Navarro in Cairns on June 25.

The Queenslander headlines an exciting No Limit on Fox card that also boasts two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson – who faces Argentina’s Ayrton Gimenez (22-1) – and breakout prospects Callum Peters and Kirra Rushton.

PODCAST: Former world champ Liam Paro talks to Ben Damon about his upcoming North Queensland headline act and his future plans.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, Paro revealed a win over Navarro could catapult him straight into a showdown for the likely soon-to-be-vacant WBO crown, with potential rivals including Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz or the undefeated Lindolfo Delgado.

Elsewhere, the Mackay southpaw also talked up his desire to face Pacquaio should the global megastar hang around long enough – “I’d go to 147 pounds for that” – but showed little interest in Kambosos should he lose his impending IBF showdown against Richardson Hitchins in New York.

Only last December, Hitchins took the crown from Paro by split decision, and just six months after the Australian had first won the title himself against Subriel Matias – and in one of the nation’s greatest title upsets.

Should Kambosos win, there is no doubting No Limit would look to create an all-Australian blockbuster, however Paro is tipping ‘Ferocious’ to either be stopped or easily lose a “12 round shut out”.

Should that happen, the fighter says Kambosos would need to fight his way back into a bout with him.

Regardless, and following a rollercoaster year that has seen him win, then lose the IBF crown, the fighter dubbed ‘Cowboy’ insists a win over Navarro could catapult him straight back into a championship bout.

Quizzed on what goes up for grabs against in his hyped No Limit debut, Paro revealed talks were already underway for a WBO bout should Teofimo Lopez vacate as has been widely tipped.

No Limit CEO George Rose also confirmed a win in Cairns could open “every door” for his newest signing, and agreed the WBO belt would be in the crosshairs if Lopez chooses to move up.

Already, Paro is ranked No.4 with the IBF, No.5 with the WBO and No.7 with the WBC.

Rose also suggested his charge could throw down against the winner of Hitchins-Kambosos, while Paro wants all sorts of fights against the likes of America’s Rolly Romero – “we could bring him here, sell out a stadium” – and the legendary Pacquiao.

After four years out of the sport, Pac Man is now readying for a hyped return against WBC welterweight champ Mario Barrios on July 20 – and atop a Las Vegas card featuring Australia’s Tim Tszyu.

“And I’d love that fight,” said Paro, who eight years ago was Jeff Horn’s sparring partner for what would be one of the nation’s greatest sporting upsets.

“Manny, he’s one of my favourite fighters.

“On my boxing Mt Rushmore.

“And to have his name on the resume would be something special.

“(Laughs) I’d go to 147 pounds for that.

“I love my food.

“Whatever it is, I want the big fights.”

Yet to get the biggest fights, Paro must first reclaim a gold strap.

“And I’ve already discussed with the Rose boys about what route we go down,” he says.

“We know there has been talk about Lopez moving to 147.

“So with this next fight potentially for a WBO regional belt, a win over Navarro could put me top two.

“Potentially, earn a (title) fight against Top Rank’s undefeated Lindolfo Delgado (23-0).

“Or maybe Pitbull Cruz.

“That’s the fastest route.

“Because if Teofimo doesn’t muck around and goes, it could be as soon as that next fight.

“But even if he does mucks around, I’ll have another fight here, keep building the hype.

“I want to become a household name in Australia.

“Bring the biggest fights here.

“And now I’m in the right place to do that.”

Asked about rematching Hitchins should he beat Kambosos, Paro continued: “Eventually it’s not going to be his choice.

“Once we get a belt, we’ll have the pulling power.

“Everyone wants to be the unified champion so, once I get myself in that conversation again, he won’t have a choice, he’ll have to face me.

“And I’d love to have that fight over.

“First time around, he did what he had to do to win.

“He didn’t want to engage.

“He was talking the talk, saying he was going to stay there and fight with me.

“But as you saw, first four rounds he tried that.

“And we were confident we would stop him.

“So then he went on the back foot, fought scared.

“So I’d love that one back.”

Asked about his newest signing in Paro, Rose said: “I’m a huge fan.

“And I know we can create a huge star out of Liam Paro because he is a star.

“Watching Liam’s journey over the past few years, becoming a world champion, I would’ve loved to see him defend that in Australia.

“So this is our way of bringing Liam back to not only Australia, but north Queensland

“North Queensland is home to the Cowboys, and Liam Paro is the other sporting star that sits in that region.

“I’m stoked to have him representing on this card.”

Elsewhere, Rose also suggested he wanted to pitch fellow Queenslander Wilson, with a win, back into a world title rematch with WBO super featherweight champ Emanuel Navarrete.

“And then you’ve got Callum Peters and Kirra Rushton, two rising stars of Australian boxing,” the promoter said.

“Former Olympians who are both making big names for themselves.

“The fights they have, and what could sit on the back end of both, is something I’m really looking forward to.”