Australian Liam Paro hopes his black and blue right eye can be a trap that nets a second world title after his gritty win over David Papot in Brisbane.
In his welterweight debut at Pat Rafter Arena, a dogged Paro fought one-eyed for eight rounds but still notched a unanimous points victory over the previously undefeated French showman.
It was a brutal introduction to the division against 34-year-old Papot, who has fought four divisions higher than the super lightweight class Paro won and lost IBF world titles in last year.
The 29-year-old Queenslander was unflinching though, chipping away despite Papot’s mid-fight dominance as judges scored the 12-round tussle 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112.
Paro carried on with one eye closed. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
Defeat in a fight billed as an IBF world-title eliminator would have been disastrous for a boxer seeking a second strap, this time in a division stacked with big-name boxers.
After staring defeat in the face, albeit with only one eye, Paro said he hoped those rivals could smell blood as he attempts to lure a title fight to Australia.
“I hope they do, because I see vulnerability in them too,” Paro said.
“You’ve got to be confident in this sport.
“Not everything’s going to be rainbows and sunshine. I love it, I really do and it’s not always going to be pretty.”
Papot caught Paro flush in the right eye. (Getty Images: Chris Hyde)
He was less poetic on social media later in the night, simply saying: “F***in’ hell. Had to work for that c***.”
Champions Lewis Crocker (IBF), Mario Barrios (WBC) and Rolando Romero (WBA) are prime targets, while Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn and even Manny Pacquiao have all been tossed up.
“I hope they think they saw opportunities against Liam,” promoter George Rose said.
“I know for a fact he can beat every one of those champions and I hope they think they can beat him.
“There’s great opportunities there and we’d love to get Rolly, Barrios over here.
“They’d love it … but they would leave without their belts.”
Paro won his first world title in Puerto Rico against the odds and is still attempting to build his brand domestically.
Paro became a shock world champion in June last year, before losing it six months later. (Getty Images: Ezra Shaw)
“These are character-building fights. We’re under no illusion what it takes to win a world title cause we’ve done it,” coach Alfie Di Carlo said.
“These are the kind of fights … where you learn a lot about yourself.”
Paro admitted to some nervous moments after the fourth-round blow that split his defences and sent him staggering back towards the ropes.
“[I was thinking] holy shit. In the heat of the moment, just trying to crack him back, just keep fighting,” he said.
“100 per cent I was fighting with one eye, trying to light it up.
“It’s character building. It’s not going to be pretty all the time. They’re soul-searching fights.”
AAP
Discussion about this post