Tszyu’s epic reaction captured after historic Aussie moment
Updated . First published
Liam Paro has etched his name into the history books as a two-division boxing world champion and the reaction of Tim Tszyu told the full story.
The 30-year-old Queenslander climbed the mountaintop for a second time on Wednesday night, defeating Lewis Crocker via unanimous decision to capture the IBF welterweight title in front of a raucous Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane.
A battered and bruised Liam Paro celebrates with the gold. Getty
Paro got the nod 115-113 on all three judges’ scorecards, despite being left bloodied and bruised by the end of the 12-round bout with Crocker.
The tough Mackay product celebrated in emotional scenes as he joined Jeff Fenech as the only male Australian boxers to conquer two weight classes.
“This means everything, it’s a long hard road - I climbed the mountain once and I did it again ... man, I’m speechless,” Paro said.
“It’s been a long f-----g road. I had so many people telling me I couldn’t.”
The emotions weren’t restricted to Paro and his team either.
In an amazing moment and show of solidarity between two Aussies, footage showed a jubilant Tszyu reacting the moment the decision was confirmed.
The former world champion heaped praise on Paro’s toughness and said he was proud to stand alongside him and fly the flag for the country.
“What a courageous performance,” Tszyu said.
“He started off the fight out-schooling him, but then Crocker started putting it on. He knew when to grab him, when to move, he was able to get it done.
“It was so nice to see and I’m so happy for him. Now he gets to be on that world stage and he gets the big super fights that he truly deserves.
“This is such a great moment for Australian sport and to accomplish such things in such a way, I’m so happy to be part of this new boxing generation.
“Liam Paro is flying strong for all of us.”
Tim Tszyu congratulates Liam Paro after his world title win. Kayo Sports
Tszyu’s co-panelist Peter Badel was in awe of the efforts from both fighters.
“That is one of the greatest fights we will ever see on Australian shores, that was world-class and the ultimate storyline was volume over venom,” he said.
“We saw the output from Liam Paro. When he had to walk through the fire, he was prepared to walk through the fire and his toughness ultimately got him home.”
Paro (27-1) previously won the super-lightweight world title by defeating Subriel Matias away from home in tough Puerto Rican conditions.
Now, after winning the welterweight gold on home soil, Paro wants to bring the biggest names in the division to Australia in the future.
“Australia deserves the big fights and securing this, we’re gonna bring all the big fights here - f--k travelling, bring them all Down Under,” he said.
“I’ve gotta let this eye heal up, go back to the drawing board and keep ticking over and getting better and working on everything.
Liam Paro in action against Lewis Crocker. Chris Hyde
“The welterweight division is the glamour division, it’s stacked and I just earned my seat at the table with this chip - let’s go, I want it all.
“Life is about testing yourself and I want everyone.
“We’ve got the belt here so we’ve got the pulling power now. We always cross the pond, it’s time to come Down Under and fight here - the fans deserve it.”
Among the names Paro could meet down the line now that he’s got the IBF gold include Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero and Connor Benn.
