EXCLUSIVE: Liam Paro refuses to 'sit there and lie', doubles down on grim George Kambosos prediction

Can history repeat itself for George Kambosos against New Yorker Richardson Hitchins on Sunday (AEST)?

On the face of it, his quest to become a two-time division champion is strikingly similar to when he shocked the world to become unified lightweight champion in 2021.

Kambosos went in as a $6 underdog into the bout at New York's Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden against Teofimio Lopez, an undefeated chirpy New York native, who thought he had no chance of losing his belt against the Australian.

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On Sunday, the Sydney fighter steps inside the ring as an $8.25 outsider at the same venue against Hitchins, an undefeated lippy New York native, who's taken every opportunity to denigrate Kambosos in the lead up to the fight, expressing supreme confidence in his bid to defend the IBF belt for the first time at home.

Kambosos has been on a slide since defeating Lopez, with his only two victories coming via controversial decision over Maxi Hughes in 2023 and an uninspiring effort against fill-in Jake Wyllie last year.

Assessing a challenge based purely on face value will get you in trouble, especially in the fight game.

This fight against Hitchins might present the same variables as the Lopez encounter for the ex-unified champ but it's a completely different fight.

In his two losses to Devin Haney, Kambosos showed little resistance to Haney's jab and move style. Haney's hand speed was too much for the courageous Aussie who ate plenty of glove over the two clashes in Melbourne.

Hitchins, who competed at the 2016 Olympics, has been described as a technician in the ring and is arguably more efficient than Haney.

Additionally, Hitchins has a 74 inch reach compared to Haney's 71, which will make it all the more difficult for Kambosos to work his way in.

The man who last faced Hitchins and lost his belt in a split decision in Puerto Rico, fellow Aussie Liam Paro, has his doubts about Kambosos' prospects.

Paro was labelled "unAustralian" and "jealous" by Kambosos when the Queenslander was asked for his prediction during a promotion for his next fight against US prospect Jonathan 'Thunder' Navarro in Cairns on June 25.

Speaking to Wide World of Sports, Paro said he copped it from Kambosos fans for his pre-fight forecast but maintains it was not borne from envy, rather his experience in the ring with Hitchens.

"I've copped it, but it's in in one ear and out the other pretty much. I don't really buy into the comments," he told WWOS.

"I'm a man of my word. I'm for real. I'm not gonna sit there and lie to people.

"Let's make this clear, I'm always gonna back an Aussie, you know what I mean?

"I've been in there with Hitchens. I know what the guy possesses. I hope George proves me wrong and I'll sit there with egg on my face.

"But that's just my opinion. Hitchens is gonna do it pretty comfortable. He's a tremendous athlete, tremendous competitor."

While Kambosos' toughness and willingness to keep fighting back is admirable, Paro contends Hitchins' "boxing IQ" and measurables will be too much.

"That guy's got a long reach. I'm bigger than George. I've got a longer reach than George, and I struggled to get in there when he changed things up after round four.

"I think he he's got an answer for a lot of things, he's very slippery in there, it's hard to land clean on him."

Paro said he has nothing against Kambosos and hopes he can pull off an upset, potentially setting up an all-Australian clash in the future.

A win for Kambosos would do more for Paro's career, and would give him a chance to atone for the loss to Hitchens, if given an opportunity.

Paro was in the fight against Hitchins in the early rounds until the New Yorker began to time Paro with his jab, which allowed him to land more right hands and left hooks.

Kambosos fights like Paro but the reach advantage will be even greater for Hitchins this time around, with Kambosos measuring 68 inches. Paro is at 71 inches.

"I do hope he pulls it off. I really do. That'd be it'd be phenomenal, massive. But in saying that, like I said, I'm being real. I just think it's pretty unlikely it's gonna happen, that's all," Paro added.

"But I wish him well and I'll happily sit here with the egg on my face if he proves me wrong, he's got the opportunity to do so this weekend."