Liam Paro is moving up and moving on from junior welterweight – and an IBF title eliminator fight – to test his mettle at welterweight.
And Paro, a 29-year-old Australian southpaw, immediately came out swinging: Aiming for a September ring return, Paro, 25-1 (15 KOs), announced his intentions of chasing some of the biggest game in the 147lbs division – and perhaps higher.
“Keith Thurman, he doesn’t want it. Doesn’t really want it,” Paro said while providing commentary for Wednesday’s Floyd Masson-John Parker card on FOX Sports. “He knows he’ll lose to Liam Paro. He called me out, [and] it was out of nowhere. I’m a 140-pounder and this guy is fighting at 154. But you know me, I’m willing to fight anyone and will go up to 150lbs.
“We told [our promoters, No Limit Boxing] and they approached Keith Thurman, but apparently he doesn’t want it. That’s how chihuahuas act – all bark, no bite. We’re willing to go up 10 pounds. I’ve never fought that heavy. But that’s how much I believe in my skill and what a scalp to take – Keith Thurman.”
Paro, who had been ranked in the top five at 140lbs by three of boxing’s four major sanctioning bodies, briefly held a junior welterweight title after upending Subriel Matias in a unanimous decision win last June. He was defeated – for the first time since his professional debut – in his first defense in a split decision against Richardson Hitchins last December. After bouncing back with a stoppage of Jonathan Navarro in June, Paro believes his body is ready for a move (and clearly senses bigger paydays at 147).
And he’s hardly limiting his scope of potential welterweight foes to Thurman. Ryan Garcia, Rolando “Rolly” Romero, Brian Norman Jnr, Mario Barrios and Manny Pacquiao are also included on his list.
“The legend, my favorite fighter, Manny Pacquiao, is back in boxing,” Paro said.
“Back at welterweight. Man, get me in there. Bring him to Australia. I’m sure he wants to try and get one back on Suncorp [Stadium, where he lost to since-retired Aussie Jeff Horn in 2017]. I’d be willing to offer that fight, very exciting.”
