Aussie world champion Liam Paro plans to bring Manny Pacquiao back to Australia
CODE Sports can reveal Pat Rafter Arena will host a boxing card for the first time ever when Paro (26-1) makes his domestic PPV debut in Brisbane at the iconic venue named after an Australian tennis legend.
Renowned as one of Australia's premier tennis courts, Pat Rafter Arena will become a boxing arena for Paro's blockbuster fight. Picture:The Mackay mauler has secured a world-title eliminator against unbeaten Frenchman David Papot (30-0-1) on Thursday, September 18 in his plan to lure Pacquiao Down Under for another Suncorp Stadium blockbuster.
Paro, who won a world title at super lightweight last year, is moving up a division and will make his debut at welterweight against Papot, a dangerous southpaw ranked No. 5 with the WBO.
Liam Paro celebrates his recent comeback win in Cairns. Picture:for No Limit Boxing
Unbeaten French boxer David Papot. Picture: Instagram
Going up to 147 pounds puts Paro in the same division as Pacquiao, who featured in an iconic Australian bout in 2017 when he was beaten by Jeff Horn in a world-title boilover before 50,000 fans at Suncorp.
Pacquiao is still active in the sport. Last month, he fought superbly at age 46 in his draw with WBC champion Mario Barrios as the main event on the same card in which Tim Tszyu lost to Sebastian Fundora in Las Vegas.
Jeff Horn (R) embraces Manny Pacquiao (L) after their WBO welterweight championship title fight at Suncorp Stadium in 2017. Picture:Victory over Papot would secure a world-title shot for Paro and the 29-year-old Queenslander hopes another major belt will be the sweetener to bring the 'Pac Man' back to Australia for revenge.
'If I got to share the ring with Manny Pacquiao it would be a true blessing,' said Paro, who confirmed his move to welterweight.
'I'm not going to demand it or kick and scream, I know I have to earn the right to fight Manny and if I win a belt at 147 then I've got some pulling power.
Manny Pacquiao (R) after his draw with Mario Barrios in Las Vegas, Nevada. Picture:'I'm sure Pacquiao would love to right the wrongs against Horn by beating another Aussie.
'I'm here waiting for him if he wants it.
'I really do believe I can beat Manny Pacquiao. Let's face it, he is a legend of the sport, but he's now 46 and he was very good a few weeks ago against Barrios.
'It would be a true pleasure to share the ring with Manny, but first I need to win another world title and that's what I plan to do at welterweight.'
After losing his world title to Richardson Hitchins last December, Paro bounced back with a thumping fifth-round TKO of American Jonathan Navarro in his comeback in Cairns in June.
Liam Paro during his win over Jonathan Navarro. Picture:for No Limit Boxing
Paro is now on course for a world-title shot against the winner of Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan, who will square off for the vacant IBF strap in Belfast on September 13.
Five days later, Paro will light up Pat Rafter Arena on a blockbuster No Limit card that will also feature two-time world-title challenger Liam Wilson (16-3) and former Olympian Paulo Aokuso.
No Limit boss Matt Rose said Paro can join the Tszyu brothers, Tim and Nikita, as a pay-per-view star and confirmed plans for the stylish southpaw to throw down with Pacquiao.
'We are absolutely interested in bringing Manny back to Australia,' Rose said.
'But I know we need a carrot to bring him back here – and that carrot is Liam Paro as a world champion.
Tim Tszyu and Nikita Tszyu speak to the media in 2024. Picture:'Liam is two wins away from winning a world title again and if we get the belt, we'll be going after Manny Pacquiao to attract him back to Australia.
'It would be massive to have Manny back out here, he is much loved in Australia with his Filipino fans and boxing fans after the Jeff Horn story.
'Manny is 46, so we know time is running out, but he could be around for another 12 to 18 months and that gives us time to make the fight happen.
'Liam has to have a world title to get Manny here and that's the path we are on.
'Liam Paro is Australia's next pay-per-view superstar, but the big unknown is whether he can make the step up at welterweight.
Paro warned he will be even more dangerous in a bigger weight class.
'I've struggled to make weight for a while now,' he said.
'At welterweight I will be even bigger and stronger, my opponents don't realise how hard I hit until they are in the ring and it's too late.'
Peter Badel
Chief Rugby League Writer
Peter Badel is a six-time award winning journalist who began as a sports reporter in 1998. A best-selling author, 'Bomber' has covered five Australian cricket tours and has specialised in rugby league for more than two decades.
@badel_cmail
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