‘No animosity’: Curious absence as Paro chases Aussie boxing history
Liam Paro is on the cusp of Australian boxing history and undefeated champion Lewis Crocker stands in his way.
But there’ll be one notable omission on fight night.
Liam Paro and Lewis Crocker face off during the weigh in. Getty
Crocker’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who also used to handle Paro’s promotions, will not be in attendance.
The head of Matchroom opted to be in the US for Jaron Ennis’ clash with Xander Zayas.
While Ennis is a big star on the rise, Hearn’s absence is sure to raise questions.
At the press conference on Monday, it drew public criticism from Paro, who labelled Hearn’s decision not to travel “disrespectful” and suggested it showed a lack of backing for the champion.
It’s not like Matchroom won’t be represented at the fight. Tom Dallas, the company’s head of boxing will be there.
But it’s understandable why Hearn would be a no-show.
After all, it was Hearn who opted not to renew the Queenslander’s deal after he was forced to defend his IBF super lightweight title against American Richardson Hitchins in Puerto Rico, a clash he lost by split decision.
Paro had won the title in the same country just months earlier with a shock win over champion Subriel Matias.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports ahead of his bout with Crocker on Wednesday night, Paro was asked if parting with Matchroom served as extra motivation against Crocker.
“Not at all,” he said.
Liam Paro celebrates his world title win with Eddie Hearn. nna\liam.oloughlin
“I was promised a big homecoming once I defeated Mathias in Puerto Rico, and it never happened.
“But it’s business at the end of the day. There’s no animosity. I’m always grateful. I’m humbled by the opportunities Matchroom gave me.
“But of course it’s gonna be good to get one up on my old promoter.”
Unsurprisingly, Paro has received the love his talent has always warranted since leaving Matchroom.
No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose. Getty
Joining Aussie promoters No Limit, the 30-year-old (27-1) will seek to become a multiple-division world champion when he takes on the Northern Irishman (22-0) at Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena.
Victory would see the Mackay product become the first Australian-born fighter since Jeff Fenech, 39 years ago, to win world titles involving the four major boxing organisations in more than one weight division.
And Paro did it the hard way.
He worked his way through the boxing scene in Queensland undefeated before Matchroom signed him in 2021, which meant his most publicised performances came overseas, apart from a first round drubbing of Brock Jarvis in Brisbane in 2022.
With the likes of Tim and Nikita Tszyu both making millions as they developed their careers on pay-per-view from the ground up, fighters like Paro and George Kambosos had to do it the hard way, and work their way back into the minds of local fights fans from the outside.
“It goes that way because they’ve been built up here in Australia. Unfortunately, we did it abroad, we were overseas, very early on in my career. That’s all it comes down to.
“Unfortunately, I just haven’t been based in Australia or had my fights in Australia to have that broadcast from the Australian viewers, but, look, now we’re starting to get the recognition here thanks to No Limit. Being based and having my fights here in Australia definitely helps.
Paro ecstatic after knocking Brock Jarvis to the canvas in 2022. nna\zgates
“Being with an offshore promoter it definitely did stop me from getting the recognition and the viewing here, because I was fighting over in America, over in Puerto Rico and stuff like that. I wasn’t in the country. It was other fighters getting the limelight as they should, they were here, they deserved it.”
Paro, who quit an auto-electrical apprenticeship to chase his boxing dream without a fallback plan, leading to a period of homelessness, said signing with No Limit has been the best thing for his career.
“With No Limit, I’m getting the attention here and it’s truly humbling. I’m very grateful for it. I’m a proud Aussie. And what better way to build a legacy and win fights in front of your home home crowd, so it’s been unbelievable.
“I’m truly the happiest I have been here my whole career and it goes back to, being with Australians as well.
“You wanna help your own countrymen and being now with fellow Australians is unbelievable, and that’s what it’s about to build a profile here in Australia”
Paro faces Crocker, the champion forced to travel abroad for the first time, to defend his belt in front of Paro’s home crowd.
He knows he has a huge opportunity in front him.
“I’ve got a hard task ahead of me. I guess I see Lewis Crocker as a big roadblock, but I’ll get the job done against him.
“Once I get that belt, I’ve got the pulling power. Everyone can come over this side instead of us Aussies having to travel over the pond, they can come here now. The Australian fight fans deserve that.”
