Paro pulverises rival in homecoming statement

Perth Now

5 hours ago

A devastating Liam Paro left hook badly busted his rival's nose as the Australian made a brutal statement in the first fight since losing his world title.
The Mackay product and former IBF super lightweight champion forced bloodied American Jonathan Navarro to throw in the towel after the fifth round in Cairns on Wednesday night.
It moved the 29-year-old to 26-1, Paro's only loss coming late last year to Richardson Hitchins in the first defence of the belt he won against the odds earlier that year in Puerto Rico.
"I'm back, thank you," he said after his first Australian appearance for nearly three years.
"Truly grateful. I want to get back to the top position. He's (Navarro) a tough competitor, but there's levels to this."
Paro is well positioned for title shots with the IBF, WBC and WBO, and his management have listed high-profile targets Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Isaac 'Pitbull' Cruz.
"I want to win a world title in front of you guys," Paro said at the Cairns Convention Centre.
"I want another belt. Two-time (world champion) has a ring to it ... I want to avenge my loss and I'm ready to prove all the critics wrong."
Earlier in the night Caboolture's two-time world title challenger Liam Wilson improved to 16-3 with a frustrating defeat of cagey Argentinian super featherweight Ayrton Gimenez.
The visitor used all of the ring to evade the man known as Mr Damage and connected with enough blows in 10 tight rounds to create some nervous moments.
But the Argentinian's over-the-top celebrations on the final bell proved foolish as Wilson was awarded the fight 98-92, 97-93 and 96-94.
"I felt like saying to these boys to settle down. I won the fight ... sorry guys," Wilson said.
"It was hard for Mr Damage to come out tonight ... I wouldn't say he's scared, that's his style."
Wilson was denied a shock world title in Arizona when Emanuel Navarrete was afforded a long count after the Australian floored him.
The Mexican turned the tables to leave Wilson pondering what could have been and still owns the WBO's super featherweight belt.
"That was the whole point of tonight," Wilson said of his hopes for a rematch.
"Hopefully I'm one step closer ... I think I deserve a shot."