Paro walks walk, talks talk as star status looms
The 29-year-old Mackay talent will fight unbeaten Frenchman David Papot at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena on September 18 in an IBF welterweight eliminator.
Paro (26-1) produced an incredible upset in Puerto Rico last year, beating Subriel Matias to win the IBF's super lightweight crown.
He lost that belt in a split points decision to American star Richardson Hitchins in another Puerto Rico tussle and, after a strong rebound win over Jonathan Navarro in Cairns, has moved up in weight chasing belts and high-profile scalps.
A shift in promoters - he left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing stable for Australian-based No Limit Boxing - has put him back in front of domestic audiences and is touted as the country's next pay-per-view star.
"We've done it the hard way ... he's been a road warrior for a long time," long-time trainer Alfie di Carlo told AAP on Thursday.
"We all know Liam can fight, but he brings character to the game.
"He can talk; he understands it's not just about fighting and there's so much more to this sport.
"There's an opportunity to grab that spotlight and Liam deserves it.
"The opportunity's there at welterweight now and we've angled in on where we think the quickest opportunity is."
If Paro wins he'll earn a shot - ideally again in Queensland - at his second world title against the winner of Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, who'll fight in Belfast a week earlier.
His step up in weight is motivated by the fact high-profile names Manny Pacquiao, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Mario Barrios all fight at that weight.
"He proved he's not scared of anyone when he jumped in the ring with Matias when nobody wanted to," di Carlo said.
"They're just humans, normal people, and he's proved he can hang at that level.
"Hitchins is one of the best in the world and he lost a split decision - no-one's given him a fight like that, ever - and Hitchins knows there will be a rematch one day.
"Liam's entitled to call out whoever he wants."
With No Limit poster boy Tim Tszyu's career in limbo after three losses in his last four fights, Paro is adamant he can step up.
"We did it all abroad the hard way; never ducked no one and never will," Paro told AAP.
"I live by the motto that fighter's fight and if look at my resume I'm living by that.
"It's made me battle tested for the bright lights and I want to be a household name, a name that goes down in history in Australian sport."
The Main Event pay-per-view card will include two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson and undefeated prospect Paulo Aokuso.
The announcement comes with Tszyu's younger brother Nikita finalising preparations for his WBO super welterweight clash with Lulzim Ismaili in Sydney on Wednesday.
Ahead of his first fight in nearly a year, Tszyu (10-0) says there is no fear of losing his unbeaten status or how it would impact the family legacy.
"Not really; I think losing is part of the game," he said.
"Everyone loses eventually, except (Floyd) Mayweather.
"I have no fear in losing.
"If I go out and fight with my heart out, then it doesn't matter what the result is. I'm still proud of myself, the way I approached it."
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Sydney Morning Herald
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- Sydney Morning Herald
LIVE: Maxwell seals Australian series victory in Cairns thriller
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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
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Tyla Hanks was just as busy on Saturday with 29 disposals, and kicked two goals to match Kate Hore and Eden Zanker. The Western Bulldogs had their own returning star, with former skipper Ellie Blackburn collecting 17 touches through managed minutes. Blackburn was limited to three games last season before hurting her foot. Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. 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After pulling off a trademark speccy just moments earlier, Harris copped an arm to her face in a marking contest with Bulldogs counterpart Alice Edmond. The 28-year-old had only played one game last year, requiring surgery after hurting her left shoulder. Melbourne, semi-finalists the previous year, missed the top eight in her absence. Tyla Hanks was just as busy on Saturday with 29 disposals, and kicked two goals to match Kate Hore and Eden Zanker. The Western Bulldogs had their own returning star, with former skipper Ellie Blackburn collecting 17 touches through managed minutes. Blackburn was limited to three games last season before hurting her foot. Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. Bulldogs midfielder Jess Fitzgerald could have reduced the halftime deficit after the siren but hit the post with her set shot. Melbourne's ascendancy continued well into the second half, building a 39-point lead after kicking 4.3 against the scoreless Bulldogs in the third quarter. An Olivia Purcell masterclass has propelled Melbourne to a dominant 48-point AFLW win over the Western Bulldogs. Purcell finished with a monster haul of one goal, 33 disposals and seven clearances to help the Demons steamroll the hosts 9.8 (62) to 1.8 (14) and retain the Hampson-Hardeman Cup. 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Jasmyn Smith was the Bulldogs' main ball winner with 21 disposals. Demons debutant Maggie Mahoney was denied the first goal of the game on the line by Bulldogs defender Issy Grant. Melbourne found the opener from an unlikely source, defender Shelley Heath breaking through almost 13 minutes into the first quarter. It was Heath's fifth goal in her eighth AFLW season. Demons skipper Hore then hit the scoreboard to help set up a 12-point lead at halftime after intercepting a dangerous kick-out meant for Grant. Heidi Woodley slotted the home side's first - and only - goal after winning a scrap in the second quarter. Bulldogs midfielder Jess Fitzgerald could have reduced the halftime deficit after the siren but hit the post with her set shot. Melbourne's ascendancy continued well into the second half, building a 39-point lead after kicking 4.3 against the scoreless Bulldogs in the third quarter.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cricket Australia pays tribute to Bob Simpson
Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen't silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led," Albanese wrote on X. "He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace." Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen't silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led," Albanese wrote on X. "He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace." Cricket Australia chairman Mike Baird has led the tributes to former Test captain and coach Bob Simpson, who has died aged 89. The Australian team, who is playing South Africa in the T20 decider in Cairns, will hold a momen't silence and wear black armbands at the Cazalys Stadium on Saturday. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach. "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden era for Australian cricket. "On behalf of Cricket Australia, I would like to express my warmest condolences to Bob's family, friends, teammates and all those touched by his vast contribution to cricket." Simpson was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was among the first to pay tribute to Simpson. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations. As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest standards for himself and the champions he led," Albanese wrote on X. "He will be long remembered by the game he loved. May he rest in peace."
