Liam Paro is ready to re-sign with No Limit Boxing, and plans to discuss his next move by the end of the week.
The Australian returned to the ring – following the defeat in December by Richardson Hitchins that cost him the IBF junior-welterweight title and represented the conclusion of his promotional agreement with Matchroom – when earlier in June he stopped Jonathan Navarro in five rounds.
After leaving Matchroom he had signed a one-fight contract with No Limit, who oversaw his first fight in his home country for almost three years, and having again become a free agent and been convinced not only by how the promotional organization handled the fight in Cairns but also by their future plans for him, he is ready to commit to his next career move.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of the WBO champion Teofimo Lopez has contributed to the changing landscape at 140lbs that will potentially present the leading contenders there – Paro included – with opportunities to challenge for a title, and the 29 year old told BoxingScene: “I’m sure this week I’ll be back down with my coach [Alfie DiCarlo] and we’ll come to something very soon. [No Limit] want to move quick – they’ve promised activity, which is another big thing for me – I like to keep active, I want to be a busy fighter. Just see what they come up with – I’m pretty confident I’ll put pen to paper with No Limit.
“They were an absolute pleasure to deal with. I really liked working with them. There’s been a few discussions between my team and No Limit; until something’s signed and sealed, nothing’s locked in place, but I’d love to continue working with them in the future.
“It’s just depending what they offer me, contract-wise. If it’s good, if it makes sense, I’m definitely happy to work with them.
“[There’s been] title talk. Even if it’s an eliminator, they’re confident they can get me that next. That pricked my ears straight away – I want to be two-time world champion. It’s the legacy and the belts over the money, so if they can give me the opportunity, no matter what it is I just want to get another belt, ‘cause I know everything comes from that. Knowing you’re the champion – it’s a good feeling, and I want that back.
“They know I want to be back in there before the year’s end. My body’s fine, I came out of there with no blemishes, so I’d be happy to be back in in 10-to-12 weeks if I could, so we’ll move fast and hopefully have a fight announcement really soon.
“They haven’t mentioned no one yet. I guess they want to lock me down first. But whoever it is, there’s a few good guys in that division floating around looking for title shots, so it just depends. I’m high in a lot of ratings – whatever door opens up first, I’ll jump straight on.”
Paro’s victory over Navarro came shortly after Hitchins made the first defence of his title against Paro’s compatriot George Kambosos Jnr, who in the build-up to fighting the 28-year-old Navarro had been ruled out by Paro as a potential future opponent, regardless of Matchroom’s plans to match them in 2024.
The fight with Navarro also came at 144lbs, contributing to Paro looking as strong as he did, but his sights remain on his junior-welterweight rivals.
“It was a good win to put me back in the top tier of the 140 division,” he reflected. “People who know boxing know that Navarro’s a good boxer; a tough competitor. He comes from the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy; he’d have been in there before with good guys, sparring; there’s heaps. It was a good statement to let everyone know I’m back.
“It was very one-sided. I had a good camp and it just shows the level that I’m at. That fringe world level – how easily I demolish that. It certifies my name at the top – it has to.
“There was lots of eyes [waiting] to see how I’d bounce back – especially in interviews, I’ve been saying that life’s given me the opportunity to show how much of a champion I am. The eyes were on how I was actually going to perform, because saying something and doing something are very different things. I definitely backed up the talk, and it’s put me right back where I need to be. A good boxing performance would have been unreal, but to stop Jonathan Navarro certified that.
“It’s getting a little bit harder [to make 140], getting older now. I’ve been in the same division since 18 years old, so I’ve had my whole career in this division. I’m filling out more; getting more muscle; more man strength. We’ve always said we’d fly up to 147 if the opportunity presented itself, but I think I’ll go for another title – I’m comfortable enough to go for another title at 140, but I did feel good with the extra [weight] on, and there’s a lot of room for me to grow.”
