‘Can barely see’: Aussie star’s title dream alive after ‘pure insanity’ ends with ugly blow

Australia’s Liam Paro has punched his way into world title contention in the toughest of ways – winning a gruelling 2025 ‘Fight of the Year’ contender against Frenchman David Papot.

Headlining a blockbuster IBF welterweight title eliminator, Paro was forced to go 12 gruelling rounds with a right eye closing, plus blood dripping from his nose – and all while Papot looked anything but a $9 TAB outsider.

So close did this Pat Rafter Arena headliner seem, the Mackay southpaw started the final round by making the sign of the cross on his chest, although he eventually took it with all three judges: 117-11, 116-112, 116-112.

Paro vs Papot | THURSDAY 18 SEPT 7PM AEST | Liam Paro’s quest to recapture gold continues, as he moves up in weight to take on undefeated Frenchman David Papot, with the winner set up to compete for the IBF Welterweight Title. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

“Where is the camera?” Paro laughed in the ring afterwards, keen to check the damage after a fight Ben Damon described as “pure insanity”.

“I can barely see.

“Look, she’s a pearler. I’ll be wearing some sunnies.”

Asked about the eye by Main Event’s Ben Damon, he shrugged: “This is world level … you slip up and look like this.”

So as for how he toughed it out?

“Man same old s***,” he laughed. “Keep ticking over, get my bearings and win the f***ing rounds.

“He was crafty.

“The guy isn’t undefeated for no reason and can whack for someone with five KOs.

“This is world level.

“Everyone can f***ing fight.

“On to the next one.”

After winning and losing a super lightweight world title in 2024, Paro wanted to make a statement in his first fight at welterweight – and did exactly that, albeit with an eye that was almost swollen shut afterwards.

Regardless, the tough victory now has the former champ readying for an exciting push into a welterweight division stacked with stars like Devin Haney, Rolly Romero, Mario Barrios, Ryan Garcia, even Manny Pacquiao.

Most likely, the Aussie is gunning for a showdown with new IBF welterweight king Lewis Crocker.

Only last Sunday, the fighting Irishman won the world title against countryman Paddy Donovan, albeit a contentious split decision.

In an intriguing twist, Crocker is promoted by Eddie Hearn – the same UK heavyweight who also oversaw Paro’s career until earlier this year, when he switched from Matchroom to No Limit.

Despite that history, Paro’s trainer Alfie Di Carlo has already insisted there will be no problem with the two parties negotiating a deal.

“Things didn’t end on bad terms with Eddie,” Di Carlo stressed through the week.

“It was just business.

“With Liam signing so young (to Matchroom), it meant he has been fighting on the road with them for five years.

“He also hasn’t really had the chance to become a star here, either.

“But now, I really think Liam can become the best thing Australia has in terms of pay-per-view potential.

“He’s also got a partner now, wants to start a family soon … so being away from home for long chunks is no longer ideal.

“Last year, in total, we were away four months.

“And that takes its toll.”

The win was the Queenslander’s second since June, when he busted up American Jonathan Navarro – breaking the Californian’s nose and brutally stopping him within five rounds.

“And I’ve got even more dynamite in each hand now,” Paro had warned during fight week. “This camp, there has been a drastic power change.”

Paro started the first round cautiously – and amid cries of Queeeeens-lan-dah – with both fighters eventually landing solidly late, while in the second it was a couple of straight lefts that landed big for the Aussie.

By the third Paro lifted again, landing with a straight left that bloodied the nose of his rival, while also going to the body. The visitor though, was hanging in and did land a strong left of his own late.

Then the fourth?

Cracker.

In fact, Papot landed with two big lefts that put Paro against the ropes, where the undefeated Frenchman threw a flurry and landed again. For a moment, the hometown fighter seemed in some trouble, and finished the round with his right eye swollen.

In the fifth, Paro had blood coming from his nose, right eye closing, when he landed with a left but Papot shook his head, as if to say ‘nup, not enough’, with the sixth also another close round where the visitor landed a big overhand left.

Seventh round and Paro was working hard and landing however, again, and twice, Papot threw his arms wide as if to say nothing was hurting him, which he did again three, maybe four times in the eighth.

Only this time, Paro landed far more often. And winning rounds, even if only just.

At one point in the eighth, Papot complained of a low blow but nothing was done, unlike a straight left which he threw and landed hard.

The ninth was also close, before Paro finished the strongest, while in the tenth he started fastest, pouring it on early with both hands before his rival fired back and pushed him into a corner late.

Into the championship rounds and both fighters were trading when Papot went down, but it was ruled a slip, forcing a brief pause before the pair then started trading again in a wonderful fight.

Coming into the final round, Paro crossed himself in the corner. Then went to work. Left hands. Then uppercuts. Then Papot responded. Then Parot landed a one-two. And again. Papot responded. More trading, with the Aussie eventually getting it done.

WILSON’S BIG CALL-OUT AFTER IMPRESSIVE WIN

Australia’s Liam Wilson has announced himself ready for another world title shot – and via that signature Left Hook From Hell – while also demanding a headliner against George ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos.

Despite having twice fallen agonisingly short in world title attempts, Wilson is once again in the running for gold after demolishing the Dominic Republic’s Jorge Santana in the fourth round of their Pat Rafter Arena co-main.

Only 24 hours after Santana had chaotically fallen from the stage during the Wednesday weigh-ins, the Queenslander dubbed Mr Damage left him feeling far worse — stopping things with a big left hook.

Immediately afterwards, Wilson called for a fight with another Aussie star.

“I want George Kambosos,” he declared in the ring.

“I’m a proud Australia.

“So why wouldn’t you want to make an all-Australian showdown?

“Don’t you agree?”

Cue raucous cheers from the crowd.

Better, No Limit CEO George Rose agreed.

“I got no problem with that,” the promoters said. “And I think Liam will do what he just did there.”

Rose also suggested he was keen to bring Mexican superstar Emanuel Navarrete to Australia for a world title showdown.

Back in 2023, Wilson was controversially robbed of gold against Navarrete when the WBO super featherweight king was dropped by Aussie, only to receive a ridiculously long count.

A day earlier, Team Wilson had also accused the Mexican of scale tampering.

Regardless, the Aussie is now ready for it all.

“Mr Damage is back,” the fighter said afterwards.

“We’re back to our old ways.

“The left hook comes out when it’s warranted

“I just want to hurt people … with respect.”

PARO’S BIG WARNING

Australian Liam Paro has warned his trash-talking rival that he will “crack him” as the Queenslander looks to put himself in the frame for a world title shot.

Paro fights David Papot in the main event of Thursday night’s fight card at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena, with the winner likely to face Lewis Crocker for the IBF welterweight world title.

“We’re both gunning for that one spot at the title table,” Paro told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday.

“High stakes makes for a lot of excitement. I can’t wait.”

Paro is coming off a brutal stoppage win in June against American Jonathan Navarro, with Thursday’s fight marking his first since moving up to the welterweight division.

The 29-year-old previously admitted that growing fears around weight cuts were a leading factor in his decision to quit the super lightweight division, with a particularly tough cut before his world title loss to Richardson Hitchins weighing heavily on his mind.

Paro may have previously won a world title at super lightweight, but Papot admitted ahead of Thursday’s fight that he thought the Australian was “nothing special”.

To which Paro responded that he “loved” the Frenchman’s confidence.

“I hope he keeps that confidence after I crack him a few times,” Paro added.

Elsewhere, in the co-main event Liam Wilson faces Jorge Santana — who fell off the stage during the weigh-in — for the WBO international super featherweight title.

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